Another global report has been released, declaring Vancouver one of the most livable cities in the world and the most livable among all North American and Canadian cities.
The distinction is based on the latest Global Livability Index from the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
Vancouver was the only Canadian and North American city named in the top 10. Last year, Calgary ranked higher than Vancouver on the list, but it saw the most significant drop of all cities this year (-13). Last year, Calgary ranked among the top 10; this year, it dropped to #18. Toronto and Montreal also appeared among the top 20.
Vancouver also saw a drop compared to last year. In the 2024 index, Vancouver ranked #7; this year, it ranks #10.
EIU ranks cities based on a variety of factors, including stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. Out of 100, Vancouver scored 95, 95.8, 97.2, 100, and 92.9 in each category, respectively. Vancouver’s overall index score was 95.8, 0.1 points behind Adelaide, Australia, which ranked ninth.
Looking at infrastructure specifically, the report states that the category relates to the availability of good housing. Since last year’s report, supply has improved in Vancouver. Vancouver scored a 92.9 for infrastructure, but this is the category in which Vancouver fared the worst.
When comparing all 173 cities on the list, the average livability score was 76.1, unchanged from last year. Most cities experienced marginal improvements in overall healthcare. However, that wasn’t the case in Canada.
“The 25 cities in North America saw their average overall score slip slightly to 90.4 in the latest survey. This was largely owing to a decline in healthcare scores for the four Canadian cities, where the debate over funding for the decentralized national health service remains unresolved,” EIU states.
We’ve recently done some stories on the state of healthcare here in B.C., which some health professionals suggest is an ailing system.
“North American cities remain highly sought-after places to live in, with all 21 reporting the highest tier of livability (defined as a score of 80 or above),” EIU adds.
The top city on the list this year is Copenhagen in Denmark, which overtakes Vienna. On the opposite end of the list, EIU rates Damascus as the least comfortable city in the world to live in.