Vancouver has resigned its post as the best city in the world to live in, allowing Melbourne to claim the prize position and top the ranks with a score of 97.5 percent.
According to the latest global liveability survey from the Economist Intelligence Unit, Australia’s second largest city Melbourne has ranked the best city in the world.
The survey scores cities based on political and social stability, crime rates and access to quality health care. In addition, it measures diversity and standard cultural events, the natural environment, education, public transport and general infrastructure.
Previous first placeholder Vancouver fell to third place behind Vienna due to a drop in infrastructure rating.
Topping the biannual ranking of 140 cities with a score of 97.5 percent, Melbourne edged in front of Vienna at 97.4 percent and Vancouver at 97.3 percent.
After a decade of scoring in the top range of global liveability surveys, Lord Mayor Robert Doyle is proud of the achievement.
“For the first time in a decade we are now officially ranked number one… I’m absolutely delighted, I can legitimately say that Melbourne is the best city in the world.”
Melbourne has again edged out the three other Australian cities included in the top ten, Sydney at sixth place while Perth and Adelaide were jointly ranked eighth. Brisbane came in at number 21, whilst the Zimbabwean capital of Harare claimed last place.
“Australia, with a low population density and relatively low crime rates, continue to supply some of the world’s most livable cities,” Economist Intelligence Unit Survey Editor Jon Coperstake said.
