The Best Places to Live in the World, According to the 2026 Global Liveability Index
When it comes to deciding where to live, every individual has their unique preferences and priorities. While some may value stability and security above all else, others may prioritize access to top-notch education, world-class healthcare, or a vibrant cultural scene. Fortunately, the Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) has made the process of choosing the perfect place to call home a whole lot easier with its annual Global Liveability Index.
Source: media.cntraveler.com
Now in its latest iteration, the report ranks 173 cities across 30 indicators in five categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. According to the latest data, the average livability score across all cities is 76.1, a number that remains unchanged from 2025’s score, despite significant global shifts over the past year.
Source: media.cntraveler.com
The Iran war, the US military action in Venezuela, and the ongoing war in Ukraine have all led to a diminished average stability rating. However, gains across the world in the healthcare category have offset the volatility, holding the overall average steady.
Source: media.cntraveler.com
Which Cities are the Most Livable in 2026?
The top 10 rankings for the most livable cities in 2026 are spread across several global regions, including locales in Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America. Once again, no US cities made it onto the worldwide top 10 rankings.
Western Europe is the strongest region for livability, with an overall score of 91.7. However, it’s Australia that makes the biggest showing on this year’s index, with a total of three cities ranking among the top 10. Across Asian cities, scores rose by an average of 0.3 points to an overall rating of 73.9, making it the most improved region this year.
So, which cities are the most livable in 2026? The report says that Tokyo, Japan, has taken the top spot, followed closely by Vancouver, Canada, and Adelaide, Australia. Here are the top 10 most livable cities in 2026, according to the EIU’s Global Liveability Index.
10. Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo has seen a significant boost in its liveability score in 2026, rising three ranks to make it into the index’s upper echelon. The steep ascent is thanks to a higher rating in the culture and environment category. So far this year, the Japanese capital has completed major initiatives geared toward adding even more cultural clout to the vibrant metropolis.
Large-scale projects include the renovation of the iconic Edo-Tokyo Museum, which took four years to refresh, and the opening of Mon Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives, where artists across any medium will be showcased within its mystical spiral-shaped walls. Notably for 2026, Tokyo also garnered one of the highest stability scores on the list: a perfect 100 that accompanies two other 100s in education and healthcare.
9. Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver has slightly improved its ranking compared to 2025, when it was listed as the 10th most livable city. In 2026, this coastal city in British Columbia clocks in at ninth place and is still the only destination in North America to make the global top 10 list.
Aside from its perfect score in education and its high marks in healthcare, Vancouver has the highest culture and environment rating of any city in the top 10. It’s not hard to see why, as Vancouver incorporates its stunning Pacific Northwest nature into the cityscape, with easy-to-access outdoors attractions like sweeping Stanley Park and the teetering Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Those looking to get out and about have countless opportunities for activities year-round, like hiking, whale-watching, mountain biking, and snowshoeing.
8. Adelaide, Australia
Adelaide, Australia—one of Condé Nast Traveler’s best places to go in 2026—is known for its world-class vineyards and cutting-edge natural wines. But it also offers gorgeous beaches and shorelines—ranging from windswept sea cliffs to powdery white sand—that are easily accessible from the city center.
No doubt those two beloved attractions helped this city on the south coast jump into eighth place after being ranked ninth on last year’s list. Perfect scores in the education and healthcare categories round out Adelaide’s bona fides as one of the world’s best places to live.
7. Osaka, Japan
Osaka is a culinary dynamo with an explosive street food scene. The world’s top chefs congregate here to serve up delicious fine-dining and casual local delicacies like okonomiyaki, famous savory pancakes that are accompanied by a fleet of toppings.
Osaka aced three of the index’s five categories with resounding 100s—proving there’s plenty of reason to move to this energetic port city beyond its delicious cuisine. Osaka has taken on expansive urban renewal projects and infrastructure upgrades, like extended metro lines and Grand Green Osaka, which is transforming a former rail yard into a greenspace with shops and restaurants.
