Austria’s capital city Vienna has lost its title as the world’s most liveable city in 2025, but not due to changes in the quality of life.
Vienna has long been a poster child for urban quality of life: walkable, elegant, clean, safe, and relatively affordable. It’s been named the world’s most liveable city five times in the past six years by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), topping the Global Liveability Index in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
But in 2025, Austria’s capital has slipped slightly. This year, it shares second place with Zurich, while Copenhagen has taken the crown.
So what happened? Has life in Vienna changed for the worse?
What cost Vienna the title in 2025?
According to the EIU’s liveability index, the answer lies in one word: stability.
While Vienna continued to score near-perfect marks in infrastructure, education, and healthcare, two foiled terrorist attacks in 2025 — one at a Taylor Swift concert and another at a train station — dragged down its score for “stability”, which measures the threat of terrorism, civil unrest and crime.
That drop was just enough for Copenhagen, one of only six cities to earn a perfect stability score this year, to edge past Vienna and claim first place.
READ ALSO: ‘Safe and affordable’: Why Vienna is the world’s ‘most liveable city’
How does the scoring work?
The EIU ranks 173 cities worldwide across five key categories: stability (25%), healthcare (20%), culture & environment (25%), education (10%), infrastructure (20%).
Each city receives a weighted score out of 100. Vienna’s overall score this year was 97.1, just behind Copenhagen’s 98.0.
Wasn’t Vienna still the best in most areas?
Yes, and that’s why it’s still tied for second globally. Vienna excels in:
- Public transport: The city’s infrastructure is clean, reliable, and cheap by international standards.
- Healthcare and education: Universally accessible and of high quality.
- Housing: A strong social housing system and rent control help keep the cost of living manageable.
- Green spaces: Nearly half the city is parkland, forest or gardens.
Vienna only fell short — again — in the “culture and environment” category, mainly due to what the EIU noted last year as a “lack of major sporting events”.
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Was Vienna’s drop fair?
That’s debatable. Vienna’s loss of the top spot wasn’t due to a decline in services or quality of life, but to two threats that didn’t materialise. The incidents were thwarted, and no injuries occurred; however, under the EIU’s framework, perceived threats still count against a city’s stability score.
That may feel frustrating to locals who still enjoy a peaceful daily routine. Still, it reflects a new reality that affects the international rankings.
READ ALSO: What makes Vienna the ‘most liveable city’ and where can it improve?
What’s the bigger picture?
This year’s EIU report paints a picture of a world where global liveability is plateauing. While many cities are improving healthcare and infrastructure, increasing instability — from terrorism threats to war and unrest — is eroding progress.
Even cities like Calgary in Canada, which was in the top five last year, tumbled to 18th due to mounting healthcare strain and housing shortages. Vienna’s dip is modest by comparison — and arguably not reflective of any change in its daily liveability.
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So, is Vienna still a great place to live?
Absolutely. It remains in the global top three, and possibly number one, depending on your priorities. For many, Vienna’s blend of safety, affordability, cultural life, and calmness still beats bigger, flashier cities like London (54th) or New York (69th).
READ ALSO: Is Vienna a safe city to visit?
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