For the first time, the world's nicest city is located in Europe.
At least according to The Economist's list, where Vienna has now knocked Melbourne off its throne.
The South Australian city has topped the magazine's EIU Global Liveability Index for a number of years, a ranking of the quality of life in 140 metropolises around the world. But falling crime rates and less concern about terrorism have seen the Austrian capital overtake it this year.
Both cities receive maximum points for healthcare, education and infrastructure. Melbourne lags behind this year in culture and environment, but Vienna's increased stability score trumps that.
Osaka in Japan is third, while Copenhagen in ninth place is the only city in the Nordic region to be in the top ten.
The Austrian and Danish capitals are also the only ones in Europe to qualify.
No cities in the US make the cut, but three in Canada, Calgary (4), Vancouver (6) and Toronto (8). Australia also has three cities, Sydney is fifth, Adelaide tenth.
Some badly damaged cities – such as Baghdad and Kabul – are not included in the list, but Damascus, Syria, is at the bottom of the EIU's list. The second worst-hit city is Bangladesh's capital Dhaka, followed by Nigeria's megacity Lagos.
Source: TT
