The report lists 140 cities worldwide based on a variety of lifestyle issues such health care, education, culture, environment and infrastructure.
Advertisement
Athens, ranking at number 72 overall, has become the only city in Western Europe to fall outside the top tier of liveability, as the impact of austerity and economic weakness has seen it experience the fifth biggest fall on the index over the past five years.
It is the fifth year in a row that Melbourne has been named the best city in the world in which to live.
In second place is Vienna in Austria, which just scored slightly lower that Melbourne with a rating of 97.4.
The Economist survey placed Perth eighth in the rankings, while Brisbane was 18th.
Canadians have also hit the liveability jackpot, with Alberta’s capital of Calgary coming in joint-fifth with Adelaide, while Vancouver in the west of the country and the eastern city of Toronto were named as third and fourth respectively. The harbour couldn’t dazzle and blind the judges this time, with the smaller city of Adelaide even beating it to the top five. “Through our higher standard of living we are able to attract the kind of talent and workforce that will drive the 21st century economy”.
Lord mayor Robert Doyle said the liveability branding carried real weight, especially in Asia, where Melbourne’s ranking gave it an edge in the tourism and education markets.
“Once again Melbourne has come out on top, confirming we really do have the best of everything in in Victoria”, stated Daniel Andrews, Premier of Victoria.
He said it was a sign the city was headed in the right direction. “This is an achievement all Victorians can be proud of”.
Advertisement
Melbourne being ranked first cemented its positions with a ideal score of 100 in healthcare, education, and infrastructure and within the culture and environment basket. Sydney just made the cut at number 10.
