Karachi is among the 10 least liveable cities worldwide according to the 2026 Global Liveability Index [1].

The ranking highlights critical systemic failures in urban management and public services. Because the index measures the quality of life for millions of residents, the results signal a need for urgent infrastructure and governance reform in Pakistan's largest city.

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) publishes the annual index to evaluate the quality of life across 173 cities [2]. The methodology scores urban centers based on five key categories: stability, healthcare, infrastructure, education, and environment [1]. Karachi’s low scores across these metrics placed it in the bottom tier of the global rankings.

"Karachi and Dhaka remain fixtures in the bottom ten of the Global Liveability Index 2026," the EIU said [1].

The report notes that while other regions have seen recent fluctuations, Karachi's position remains stagnant. "Cities across the Gulf have taken a big hit this year, but Karachi sits among the world’s least liveable places according to the EIU’s annual index," The Economist said [2].

Low stability and poor infrastructure often correlate with the city's inability to provide basic services to its growing population. The EIU assessment focuses on how these factors impact the daily existence of inhabitants, from the availability of clean water to the safety of public spaces.

By consistently appearing in the bottom ten, Karachi faces a challenging environment for attracting foreign investment or retaining skilled professionals. The report suggests that without significant improvements in the environment and healthcare sectors, the city will continue to struggle in global comparisons [1].

“Karachi and Dhaka remain fixtures in the bottom ten of the Global Liveability Index 2026.”

The consistent placement of Karachi in the bottom tier of the EIU index suggests that the city's challenges are structural rather than seasonal. By ranking 173 cities [2], the index provides a benchmark that shows Karachi is failing to keep pace with global urban development standards, particularly in healthcare and infrastructure, which may hinder the city's economic competitiveness.