I remember when I was small, my uncle moved to a new country. He sent me a postcard with a very blue sky and a clean street. I asked him, "Why you leave home?" and he said, "Because I want to see how the other side of the world lives." Since that day, I always think about where is the best place to live on earth. Is it about the money? Or maybe the clean air? My friend tells me that some people look for a city that is "liveable." I didn't know this word before, but it means a place where life is easy, safe, and happy.
If you are thinking about moving your life or maybe you want to find the best country to move to, I have been reading many reports and lists from experts like the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). They look at many things like hospitals, schools, and if the city is peaceful. I want to share what I found about the 10 most liveable cities in the world for 2025. It is very interesting because some cities stay at the top for a long time, but others move up and down like a dance.
1. Copenhagen, Denmark: The New King of Cities
For a long time, Vienna was the winner. But in 2025, Copenhagen from Denmark became the number one! It is now the best cities to live in the world. Why? Because it got perfect scores of 100 for stability, education, and infrastructure. In Copenhagen, people don't drive cars as much as we do. They love their bicycles. They have "bike-first" streets which makes the air feel fresh. When you live there, you feel like the government really cares about you. It is a very "joyful" way to move around. If you like a city that is green and very safe, this is it.
2. Vienna, Austria: The Beautiful Old Champion
Vienna is now in second place (tied with Zurich). It was the winner for three years! But even if it dropped a little, it is still amazing. It has perfect scores for healthcare and schools. The buildings there look like they are from a fairy tale. One big reason people love Vienna is the "affordable public housing." This means even if you don't have a giant mountain of money, you can still live in a nice place in the middle of the city. That is very kind, I think. They had some worries about safety recently, which is why they lost the first spot, but it remains one of the 10 most liveable cities.
3. Zurich, Switzerland: Clean and Rich
Zurich is also in second place with Vienna. If you go to Zurich, you will see it is very, very clean. Everything works exactly on time. The trains, the buses, everything! People there feel very secure. One lady said she can walk alone at night and not feel scared at all. That is a very big thing for many people. It has a great cultural scene too. It is a bit expensive to live there, but the quality of everything is so high.
4. Melbourne, Australia: The Creative Soul
Australia is very lucky because it has many cities in the top 10 cities to live in the world. Melbourne is at number four. It is famous for being "multicultural." This means people from all over the world live there together. It has great "green corridors" which are like long parks for walking. The education system is very strong too. People in Melbourne love their coffee and their art. It feels like a very alive place.
5. Geneva, Switzerland: The Peaceful Diplomat
Geneva is the second Swiss city on this list. It is at number five. Many important world meetings happen here because it is very stable. It has very strong environmental policies. This means they work hard to keep the lake and the mountains beautiful. If you want a life that is quiet, professional, and surrounded by nature, Geneva is a very good choice.
6. Sydney, Australia: The Harbor Beauty
Sydney is at number six. When people think of Australia, they usually think of the Sydney Opera House. It has "iconic urban waterfronts." This means the area by the water is very beautiful and open for everyone. Like Melbourne, it has perfect healthcare. It is a bit more about the outdoor life—surfing, walking by the beach, and enjoying the sun.
7. Osaka, Japan: The Safe and Delicious Hub
Osaka is tied for seventh place. It is the only city from Asia in the top ten this year. It is famous for being "efficient and clean." In Osaka, even a small thing like buying a snack feels special because the service is so good. It has a 100 score for stability and healthcare. If you want to live in a place where nothing ever breaks and the food is the best, Osaka is a wonderful pick.
8. Auckland, New Zealand: The Natural Paradise
Auckland is tied with Osaka at number seven. New Zealand is a very special place. It has a "tranquil way of life." The city is very close to nature—you can see volcanoes and the ocean from almost anywhere. It is a very "progressive" place, meaning they try new ideas to make life better for everyone. It is a bit isolated from the rest of the world, but many people like that peace.
9. Adelaide, Australia: The Quiet Achiever
Adelaide is at number nine. It is the third city from Australia! It has a very high score for healthcare and education. It is a bit smaller than Sydney or Melbourne, so it feels more relaxed. Many families choose Adelaide because it is easier to live there and still have all the big city benefits.
10. Vancouver, Canada: Where Mountains Meet the Sea
Finally, at number ten, we have Vancouver from Canada. Canada is often called the best country to move to because it is very welcoming to immigrants. Vancouver is beautiful because the mountains are right next to the city. You can go skiing in the morning and go for a boat ride in the afternoon. It has a very "cosmopolitan" feeling, which means it is very international.
Finding the Best Country for You
Sometimes, you are not looking for a city, but a whole country. Maybe you are thinking about your future and want to know the best countries to live in. From what I read, Denmark and Switzerland are always at the top for quality of life. They have "cradle to grave" support. This means from when you are a baby until you are old, the government helps with health and school.
The Netherlands is also great, especially if you like to work in tech or research. They speak very good English there too, so it is easier to talk to people. Sweden and Norway are also very famous for being "egalitarian," which means they try to make everyone equal and give parents a lot of time off work to be with their babies.
Where to Spend Your Golden Years?
If you are getting older and want to find the 10 best countries to retire, the list changes a bit! Some people want a place that is cheap but has good doctors. According to the Global Retirement Index, countries like Greece, Panama, and Portugal are very popular.
- Greece: It has a "mild climate" and a very "relaxed lifestyle." If you have a pension, there is a special visa for you.
- Panama: It is very famous because it gives "tax breaks" to retirees and discounts on things like movies and travel.
- Portugal: Many people move here because it is safe and the cost of living is lower than in the US or UK.
- Thailand: It is called the "Land of the Free." It is very affordable and the people are very friendly. You can live in the mountains or by the beach.
But if you want the best healthcare and "material wellbeing" when you retire, then Norway is number one for 2025. Ireland is also very good now because they are doing better with their money and inflation.
Why does this matter?
You might ask, "Why should I care about a list?" Well, the world is changing. In some places, things are getting a bit "unstable" because of protests or high prices for houses. Even in the UK, cities like London and Manchester dropped in the rankings. Canada also had a small drop because of healthcare and housing issues.
When we look at the 10 most liveable cities, we see a pattern. Most of them are in Europe or Oceania (Australia and New Zealand). These places have spent many years building "social infrastructure." This is just a fancy way of saying they built things that help people, like good trains and hospitals that anyone can use.
My Small Advice
If you are dreaming of moving, don't just look at the rank. Think about what makes you happy. Do you like the cold mountains of Canada or the sunny beaches of Australia? Do you want a busy life in Osaka or a quiet life in a French village?
The best place to live on earth is different for everyone. But it is good to know that there are places like Copenhagen or Vienna where life is designed to be easy. We all want a place where we feel safe, where our kids can go to good schools, and where we can see a doctor without worrying about money.
I hope this long post helps you understand the world a bit better. It took me a long time to read all these facts! Moving to a new country is a big jump, like my uncle did. But if you pick one of the best countries to live, maybe the jump won't feel so scary.
Remember, life is not just about working. It is about "work-life balance." The best cities in the world know this. They make space for parks, for bikes, and for people to sit and talk. That is what "liveable" really means.
I think I will keep dreaming about these places. Maybe one day I will visit the blue skies of Sydney or the clean streets of Zurich. Until then, I will just keep writing and learning. Thank you for reading my words! I know my English is not perfect, but my heart is happy to share this with you.
The search for the top 10 cities to live in the world is really a search
for a better life. And we all deserve that, no matter where we come from.
I used the information from the 2025 EIU Index and other expert reports to make sure these facts are right for you. Good luck with your dreams!