The annual ranking of the world’s most liveable cities has just been released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), and 2022’s Global Liveability Index shows some marked differences from the previous year. Abu Dhabi and Dubai are named the most liveable cities in the Middle East and North Africa for the fifth year in a row. The list, ranked 173 cities on stability, culture and environment, education and infrastructure, and health care.

Abu Dhabi pipped Dubai to the post of best city in which to live in the Middle East, with the two ranked 77th and 79th, respectively. Vienna in Austria topped the global list. The Austrian capital, which slipped to 12th place in the rankings in early 2021 when its museums and restaurants were closed because of Covid-19, rebounded to first place, the position it held in 2018 and 2019. An easing of Covid-19 restrictions has translated into liveability rankings resembling those seen before the pandemic, the report said.

Europe holds the title for the most spots in the top 10 list this year, with six European cities in Austria, Denmark, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands ranked among the most liveable. Cities in Canada, Australia and Japan, including Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, Osaka and Melbourne, completed the top 10 list. This year, 33 cities were new to the rankings, one third of which are in China.

Most liveable cities in 2022

1. Vienna, Austria

2. Copenhagen, Denmark

3. Zurich, Switzerland

4. Calgary, Canada

5. Vancouver, Canada

6. Geneva, Switzerland

7. Frankfurt, Germany

8. Toronto, Canada

9. Amsterdam, Netherlands

10. Osaka, Japan and Melbourne, Australia

Least liveable cities in 2022

1. Damascus, Syria

2. Lagos, Nigeria

3. Tripoli, Libya

4. Algiers, Algeria

5. Karachi, Pakistan

6. Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

7. Dhaka, Bangladesh

8. Harare, Zimbabwe

9. Douala, Cameroon

10. Tehran, Iran