Copenhagen tops the 2026 Global Liveability Index, making it the best city to live in the world for the second year in a row.gettyWhat are the best cities to live in the world? Every year, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) sets out to answer that question with its annual Global Liveability Index, which has just been released.The 2026 edition evaluates 173 cities using more than 30 indicators across five categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. Each city receives an overall score out of 100 and is then ranked from most to least liveable.This year’s report finds that while the average global liveability score held steady at 76.1, the balance is shifting. Healthcare scores improved around the world, particularly in Asia, while stability declined because of ongoing geopolitical tensions, including the Iran war.One of the year’s biggest surprises comes from the United States: New York City has one of the largest score increases in the entire index, thanks to improvements in stability.Overlooking the canals of Copenhagen, the best city to live in the world in 2026.gettyThe World’s Best City To LiveFor the second consecutive year, Copenhagen, Denmark has been named the world’s most liveable city. Since I began covering the EIU’s Global Liveability Index in 2022, the Danish capital has steadily climbed the rankings. Copenhagen placed second in both 2023 and 2024 before overtaking Vienna, Austria in 2025 to grab the No. 1 spot. Vienna remains in second place, with a score of 97.1.According to the EIU, Copenhagen earned an overall score of 98. It has perfect scores of 100 in stability, education and infrastructure. The city’s score for healthcare is 96. Culture and environment is 95.A deeper look at the top 10 spots in the EIU's Global Liveability Index.Courtesy of the EIUThe top 10 is once again dominated by cities in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Australia claims three spots in the top 10: Melbourne (No. 3), Sydney (No. 4) and Adelaide (No. 8). Switzerland places two cities, including Zurich (No. 5) and Geneva (No, 6). Coincidentally, Switzerland was named the best country to move to in a another recent report. Japan also lands two cities in the top 10: Osaka (No. 7) and Tokyo (No. 10). Vancouver (No. 9) is the only North American city to crack the global top 10.Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, the best city to live in the U.S. in 2026.gettyThe Best Cities To Live In The U.S.No American city is in the global top 10 this year, but Honolulu—which was the top-ranking U.S. city in 2025—is the highest-ranked U.S. city once again, scoring 93.2. The second highest ranking U.S. city is Atlanta (with a score of 92.3), followed by Pittsburgh (92.1), Seattle (91.8) and Washington D.C. (91.2). The biggest American story, however, is New York City. The city climbs three places from No. 69 in 2025 to No. 66 this year after recording one of the largest score improvements of any city in this year’s rankings. According to the EIU, New York’s gains come entirely from the stability category, reflecting years of declining crime rates and lower perceived risks of terrorist attacks.Global Trends In LiveabilityAlthough the overall global score (76.1) remains unchanged from 2024 and 2025, the forces shaping liveability are evolving.Healthcare is the biggest bright spot in this year’s rankings. Chinese cities have higher healthcare scores following years of investment and improvements to medical infrastructure. Those gains helped make Asia the world’s most improved region, with nine Asian cities now appearing in the global top 20.On the other hand, global stability has deteriorated. Last year, Europe saw many of the biggest declines because of terrorist threats and civil unrest. This year, stability scores declined throughout the Middle East, due to the Iran War. On average, cities in the Middle East and North Africa fell by more than three places in the rankings.Western Europe is the world’s best-performing region, with an overall average score of 91.7, but its average score slipped slightly from last year. Asia’s overall score has risen by 0.3 points to 73.9.Fuzhou, China, the biggst upward mover in this year's Global Liveability Index, which ranks the best cities to live in the world.gettyThe Biggest MoversThe biggest upward mover this year is Fuzhou, China, which climbed seven places to No. 93 after improvements to healthcare. Several other Chinese cities climbed four points, including Wuxi (up to No. 106), Nanjing (No. 98), Qingdao (No. 114), Dalian and Guangzhou, also moved higher as healthcare scores improved nationwide. Lisbon also posted one of the biggest gains, rising six points to No. 54.The biggest declines occurred in the Middle East. Muscat, Oman, dropped 14 places, making it this year’s largest faller, while Kuwait City slipped 12 places. The EIU attributes much of the regional decline to instability stemming from the Iran war.At the bottom of the rankings, Damascus, Syria, comes in at No. 173, making it the world’s least liveable city with an overall score of 31.6. It’s followed by Tripoli, Libya (No. 172) with a score of 40.9 and Dhaka, Bangladesh (No. 171) with a score of 41.7.Read on for the ranking of the 10 best cities to live in the world.Karlskirche Church in Vienna, the second best city to live in the world.gettyRanked: The 10 Best Cities To Live In The World1. Copenhagen, Denmark2. Vienna, Austria3. Melbourne, Australia4. Sydney, Australia5. Zurich, Switzerland6. Geneva, Switzerland7. Osaka, Japan8. Adelaide, Australia9. Vancouver, Canada10. Tokyo, JapanMORE FROM FORBES: ForbesThe 36 Best Places For Solo Female Travel, Chosen By ExpertsBy Laura Begley BloomForbesThe Countries With The Cleanest Beaches And Swimming Water In Europe—2026 ReportBy Laura Begley Bloom