When a new place starts to feel like home, even the most nomadic globe-trotters and spontaneous jet-setters may consider planting roots. But depending on lifestyle choices and daily routines, the best places to live can vary widely depending on personal taste. So how should potential travelers-turned-residents decide where in the world to settle down?
Fortunately, the Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) has quantified the process with its annual Global Liveability Index. The study ranks 173 cities across 30 indicators in five categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.
According to the latest iteration of the report, which is based on a survey the geopolitical data company conducted in May 2026, the average livability score across all cities is 76.1. That number is the same as 2025’s score, despite some major global shifts that have occurred over the course of the last year. Conflicts like the Iran war, the US military action in Venezuela, plus the ongoing war in Ukraine, all led to a diminished average stability rating. But gains across the world in the healthcare category offset the volatility to hold the overall average steady.
So which cities are the most livable in 2026? The top 10 rankings 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.
The report says that 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.
Counting down, here are the 10 best places to live in the world in 2026, according to the EIU’s Global Liveability Index.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
