Curitiba has been named the Brazilian capital with the highest quality of life according to the 2026 Índice de Progresso Social (IPS) [1].
The ranking provides a data-driven look at how urban centers manage social and well-being indicators. Because the IPS measures systemic progress across diverse metrics, the results highlight which administrative strategies are successfully improving daily life for citizens.
Curitiba earned a score of 71.29 points [1], placing it at the top of the 27 state capitals evaluated in the study [1]. Brasília followed in second place with 70.73 points [1], while São Paulo ranked third with 70.64 points [1]. Campo Grande rounded out the top four with a score of 69.77 points [1].
These scores sit well above the national average IPS score of 63.4 points [1]. While Curitiba leads among capitals, it holds the sixth place position in the overall national ranking when including non-capital cities [3].
The IPS methodology utilizes 57 indicators [1] to assess the well-being of residents. The 2026 study was extensive, evaluating a total of 5,570 municipalities across Brazil [1]. The data was released this week on Wednesday [2].
The report reflects a comprehensive analysis of social progress, moving beyond simple economic growth to measure actual outcomes in health, education, and environmental quality. By comparing the 27 capitals, the IPS identifies regional disparities in how urban infrastructure, and public services impact the population.
“Curitiba earned a score of 71.29 points”
The IPS 2026 results indicate a concentration of high quality-of-life metrics in specific urban hubs, with Curitiba and Brasília leading the capital cities. The gap between the top capitals and the national average of 63.4 points underscores a significant disparity in social progress between major administrative centers and the broader network of Brazilian municipalities.
