THE world’s most liveable cities have been announced with the top spot being snatched from Vienna for the first time in three years.
The EIU’s Global Livability Index 2025 has revealed Copenhagen in Denmark as the top city for livability, with an average score of 98 overall.
Copenhagen in Denmark has been named the most livable city for 2025[/caption]
It has taken over Vienna, Austria – which has claimed the top spot for the past three years[/caption]
The index assessed 173 cities across the globe with the average score being 76.1 out of 100.
The annual study assesses multiple different things to do with daily livelihood such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, culture and environment and stability.
And the Danish capital was previously in second place to Vienna, Austria – which has held the top spot for the past three years.
But this year, Copenhagen scored a perfect 100 for stability, education and infrastructure.
The only two categories Copenhagen lost a few points in were health (95.8) and culture and environment (95.4).
Copenhagen is home to a wealth of things to see and do including historical sights, attractions and cultural experiences and it is only an hour-an-40-minutes flight from London.
The colourful Nyhavn Harbour is a great place to explore, with many colourful buildings and a number of boat tours to see the area from a different angle.
There is also Tivoli Gardens – a historic amusement park with rides, gardens and entertainment.
If you like seeing famous tourist spots, you’ll want to head to the Little Mermaid Statue, too, and grab a pic.
In addition to these spots, there is also a castle to explore and Christiansborg Palace – a former royal residence which is now home to the Danish Parliament.
If heading to the city, make sure to hire a bike as Copenhagen is very cycle-friendly.
There are lots of hidden gems in the city’s districts too, with great local food spots and independent shops.
However, the EIU’s index also brings bad news for Brits, as all the cities covered from the UK (London, Manchester and Edinburgh) moved down the list.
According to the report, this follows “widespread riots and rising homelessness“.
The UK capital moved down nine places, from 45th to 54th.
Manchester ranked slightly higher than London in 52nd place, but still has fallen by nine places too.
And the Scottish Capital fell five places from 59th to 64th, according to CNN.
European cities dominated four out of the top five spots, with Vienna, Austria coming second and Zurich, Switzerland in third.
In fourth place was one of three Australian cities to make the top 10: Melbourne.
And Geneva, Switzerland followed in fifth place.
Copenhagen has lots to see and do, including the famous Little Mermaid sculpture[/caption]
The remaining five in the top 10 are all outside of Europe with Sydney, Australia in sixth; Osaka, Japan in seventh; Auckland, New Zealand in eighth; Adelaide, Australia in ninth and the Canadian city of Vancouver slipping into the tenth spot.
Overall, the findings also suggested that there is a continued decline in global stability “driven by intensifying geopolitical conflict and civil unrest”.
Scores for healthcare, education and infrastructure all saw minor improvements on average.
The Middle East and North Africa region saw the most significant gains overall.
Fine dining and exploring beautiful Copenhagen
THE Sun’s Kirsty Spence visited Copenhagen – here’s what she thought.
You’re never far from water here, so exploring by boat is a no-brainer.
With Green Kayaks, you can borrow one in exchange for collecting litter as you go – so slide into one at La Banchina.
This trendy bathing and sauna spot in Refshaleøen is also a great place to relax afterwards.
Having worked up an appetite, I head to hidden-gem Kanalhuset to try the locals’ fave, smørrebrød – AKA open sandwiches.
Both the curried herring and the roast beef with hazelnuts, £8.75 each, are ridiculously tasty.
It’s traditional to pair them with alcoholic snaps, and they make their own with flavours such as brown butter, and rhubarb and vanilla, £5.80.
Or for an even of “social dining”, head to at Gro Spiseri, Denmark’s first rooftop farm, with sunset views – and 24 strangers.
If you’re into antiquities, Glyptotek – the collection of Carlsberg Brewery founder Carl Jacobsen – is worth a visit.
It’s a work of art in itself, with palm trees, paintings and Egyptian mummies.
The world’s happiest city in 2025 was also recently revealed, with a theme park that inspired Disney and new UK flights.
Plus, Time Out has named its best cities in the world for 2025 and six in the UK make the list.
The top 10 most liveable cities
THESE are the top 10 most liveable cities across the globe, according to the EIU’s index.
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Vienna, Austria
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Melbourne, Australia
- Geneva, Switzerland
- Sydney, Australia
- Osaka, Japan
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Adelaide, Australia
- Vancouver, Canada
The Danish capital is only an hour-and-40-minute flight from London[/caption]
