Vienna, Austria, has been named the most liveable city in the world according to the 2026 Global Liveability Index [1].
The ranking provides a benchmark for quality of life across the globe. Businesses use the data to determine employee hardship allowances, while the public uses it to compare urban infrastructure and stability.
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) evaluated 173 cities worldwide [1]. The index assesses these locations based on five primary categories: stability, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and culture [3].
"Vienna retained its position as the world's most liveable city for the third consecutive year," the EIU said [1]. The city's top ranking reflects its consistent performance across the EIU's measured metrics.
In South Asia, the index highlights a singular standout for Pakistan. Islamabad is the only Pakistani city to appear on the list, ranking 27th overall [2].
"Islamabad is the only Pakistani city to make the top-30, ranking 27th overall in the 2026 Global Liveability Index," the EIU said [2]. The city's inclusion in the top 30 places it ahead of the majority of the 173 cities evaluated in the study [1].
The EIU released the findings in early July 2026 [4]. The process involves analyzing the relative quality of life in diverse urban environments to identify which cities offer the most sustainable and supportive living conditions for their residents [3].
“Vienna retained its position as the world's most liveable city for the third consecutive year”
The 2026 results underscore a continuing trend of European dominance in urban quality-of-life metrics, particularly with Vienna's three-year streak. For Pakistan, Islamabad's 27th-place ranking indicates a significant gap in liveability standards between the capital and other major urban centers like Karachi or Lahore, which failed to make the list entirely.
