Karachi ranks among least liveable cities in global survey once again

Rated 169th out of 173 cities evaluated based on healthcare, education, infrastructure, culture and environment

Karachi has ranked among the least liveable cities in a recent global survey yet again. It received an overall score of 42.7 out of 100, with particularly poor performance in stability, garnering only 20 points.

According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, which evaluated 173 cities worldwide based on key factors such as healthcare, culture and environment, stability, infrastructure, and education, Karachi finds itself at the 169th position.

The city achieved scores of 54.2 for healthcare, 35.9 for culture and environment, 75 for education, and 51.8 for infrastructure. These scores highlight significant challenges across multiple sectors contributing to its low ranking.

Notably, other cities facing similar struggles include Lagos in Nigeria, Algiers in Algeria, Tripoli in Libya, and Damascus in Syria, all trailing closely behind Karachi with equally challenging living conditions.

The report's release coincides with a period of prolonged political and economic turmoil in Pakistan.

Also Read: Karachi and Islamabad among top five affordable cities globally

In stark contrast, Vienna in Austria continues to lead the global rankings with an impressive score of 98.4. Copenhagen in Denmark maintains its second-place position, while Zurich in Switzerland has climbed to third from sixth place previously.

Western Europe overall performed strongly, with 30 cities averaging a score of 92 out of 100. However, there has been a noted decline in stability scores due to "increasing instances of disruptive protests" and rising crime rates across the region.

Here are the top 10 most liveable cities of 2024:

1. Vienna, Austria
2. Copenhagen, Denmark
3. Zurich, Switzerland
4. Melbourne, Australia
5. Calgary, Canada
6. Geneva, Switzerland
7. Sydney, Australia
8. Vancouver, Canada
9. Osaka, Japan
10. Auckland, New Zealand

These cities are recognised for their high quality of life, strong infrastructure, and stable socio-political environments, contrasting sharply with the challenges faced by cities like Karachi.