Copenhagen, Denmark, has been named the world's most liveable city for 2026 by The Economist Intelligence Unit's Global Liveability Index, retaining the top spot for the second consecutive year. The city achieved perfect scores of 100 out of 100 in stability, infrastructure, and education, and scored above 95 in healthcare and culture. The index evaluated 173 cities worldwide across five categories.
Top Rankings and Perfect Scores
According to The Economist Intelligence Unit, Copenhagen maintained its pole position with Vienna, Austria, and Melbourne, Australia, following closely behind. The report stated: “In our 2026 survey, Copenhagen (Denmark) retained pole position for the second year running, scoring a perfect 100 out of 100 in three categories and above 95 in the other two, with Vienna (Austria) and Melbourne (Australia) close behind.”
Most Walkable City
In addition to its liveability ranking, Copenhagen was also named one of the world's most walkable cities in 2026 by Time Out magazine. The city is described as “compact and mostly flat” with clearly marked pedestrian zones and elevated pavements. It is home to Europe's first and longest pedestrian-only street, Strøget, which adds to its walkability appeal.
Excellent Healthcare
Copenhagen's healthcare system is widely considered excellent. Denmark operates a publicly funded healthcare system that provides free medical care, robust infrastructure, and highly skilled doctors, contributing to the city's high liveability score in healthcare.
Top 10 Most Liveable Cities in 2026
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Vienna, Austria
- Melbourne, Australia
- Sydney, Australia
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Geneva, Switzerland
- Osaka, Japan
- Adelaide, Australia
- Vancouver, Canada
- Tokyo, Japan
