Global Liveability Index Released

[GS Paper 2 – Global Institutions, International Organization]

Context – While the lifting of lockdowns has seen an uptick in scores across locations tracked by the index, liveability conditions in some eastern European cities have been negatively impacted amid the war in Ukraine.

The Global Liveability Index is released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

Key Highlights of the Report

• Vienna has regained its customary position at the top of EIU’s Global Liveability Index. European and Canadian cities dominate the top ten, while New Zealand and Australian cities, which triumphed last year, have tumbled by comparison.
• The average liveability index for 2022 shows a significant rebound since last year, as scores for culture, education and healthcare rise in most cities following the lifting of covid-related restrictions. 
• However, the index remains below pre-pandemic levels as stability deteriorates in several eastern European cities following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We had to exclude Kiev (Ukraine) from our survey, while Moscow and St Petersburg (Russia) saw their rankings fall.
• Globally, the average index has rebounded to 73.6 (out of 100), up from 69.1 a year ago, as scores for culture and environment, education and healthcare improve. However, the index remains below the average of 75.9 reported just before the pandemic. 
• The number of cities in this year’s index has increased from 139 to 172 (excluding Kiev in both these numbers), to add many fast-growing business destinations.

About EIU

• The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) is the research and analysis division of the Economist Group, providing forecasting and advisory services through research and analysis, such as monthly country reports, five-year country economic forecasts, country risk service reports, and industry reports.
• The EIU provides country, industry, and management analysis worldwide and incorporates the former Business International Corporation, a UK company acquired by its parent company in 1986. 
• The EIU has its main offices in four cities – London, New York, Hong Kong and Dubai and its headquarter is in Londo, United Kingdom

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