If you’ve ever found yourself grumbling about the traffic on Punt Road or the price of a flat white in Sydney, take heart: Australia is still one of the best places in the world to call home.
In fact, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) 2025 Global Liveability Index, three of our cities have landed in the top 10 most liveable cities on the planet.
Not too shabby for a country that’s also home to the world’s deadliest creatures and the occasional bin chicken.
So, which Australian cities are flying the flag for us on the world stage? Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide have all made the cut, with Melbourne leading the local pack at number four, Sydney at number six, and Adelaide rounding out the trio at number nine.
That’s right—nearly a third of the world’s most liveable cities are right here in our own backyard.
How is ‘liveability’ measured, anyway?
The EIU’s Global Liveability Index is no popularity contest. It’s a comprehensive assessment of 173 cities worldwide, scored across five key categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.
Each city is scrutinised, with everything from political stability to public transport, hospital wait times to cultural vibrancy factored in.
This year, the EIU noted a global dip in stability, thanks to rising geopolitical tensions and civil unrest.
But despite these challenges, Australia’s big three shone, each earning perfect scores for healthcare and education.
That’s something to celebrate, especially for those of us who’ve spent a little too much time in waiting rooms or helping grandkids with their homework.
Who took out the top spot?
While we might be a little biased, the number one city for 2025 isn’t in Australia. Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital, has dethroned Vienna after a three-year reign, thanks to perfect scores in stability, education, and infrastructure.
Vienna, meanwhile, slipped to second place (tied with Zurich, Switzerland), partly due to a drop in its stability score after a bomb threat at a Taylor Swift concert led to the cancellation of three shows. Even global superstars can’t save a city’s ranking, it seems.
A closer look at the top 10
Here’s how the top 10 most liveable cities for 2025 stack up:
It’s worth noting that our Kiwi cousins in Auckland also made the list, tying with Osaka, Japan. With nearly a million Australians visiting Japan in 2024 alone, it seems we know a good thing when we see it.
What about the rest of the world?
Switzerland is the only country to match Australia’s three-city showing in the top 10, with Zurich and Geneva both scoring highly.
Vancouver is North America’s sole representative, but Canada’s other cities have slipped down the rankings, largely due to healthcare challenges like long waiting lists and staff shortages.
The UK’s major cities—London, Manchester, and Edinburgh—all dropped in the rankings, with the EIU citing widespread riots and rising homelessness as key factors.
Meanwhile, the highest-ranked US city is Honolulu, Hawaii, at number 23. Not bad, but still a fair way behind our sunburnt country.
At the other end of the spectrum, war-torn Damascus in Syria remains the world’s least liveable city, a sobering reminder of how much we have to be grateful for.
Why do Australian cities score so well?
It’s not just the beaches and the barbecues (though they certainly help).
Australia’s cities consistently perform well thanks to strong healthcare systems, high-quality education, robust infrastructure, and a generally stable political environment.
Our multicultural communities, vibrant arts scenes, and access to green spaces also play a big part.
Of course, no city is perfect. Melbourne’s weather can be a four-seasons-in-one-day affair, Sydney’s property prices are enough to make anyone wince, and Adelaide’s pace of life isn’t for everyone. But when it comes to the big picture, we’re doing something right.
Thinking of making a move?
If you’re considering a change of scenery in your retirement years, you could do a lot worse than one of Australia’s top-ranked cities.
Whether you’re after Melbourne’s coffee culture, Sydney’s iconic harbour, or Adelaide’s relaxed charm, there’s something for everyone.
And if you’re already living in one of these cities, give yourself a pat on the back—you’re in one of the world’s best places to live.
Have your say!
Do you agree with the rankings? What makes your city liveable (or not)? Have you lived in any of the other top 10 cities? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences—share your comments below and join the conversation!
Also read: Australia’s most sustainable cities revealed—one state leads the way
