The world's biggest and most important cities aren't often the best
places in which to live. High levels of crime, traffic congestion,
and long commutes can worsen the quality of life. So which are the
best cities to live in the world?
We've put together a list of the world's 15 best cities, according
to human resources consulting firm Mercer's 2011 quality of living
survey. The annual report looks at living conditions in 221 cities
worldwide and ranks them against New York as a base city in 10
categories such as economy, socio-cultural environment, politics,
education, and the health sector.
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This year the survey also identified cities with the highest
personal safety rankings based on crime levels, law enforcement,
international relations, and stability.
Cities in some of the world's biggest economies, including the
U.S., Japan, and Britain, missed the cut. So, which cities made the
list? Click ahead to find out.
Click
here to see the original slideshow from CNBC.com.
15.
Toronto, Canada
Population: 2.48 million
Toronto is one of only three Canadian and North American cities to
make the list of the world's top 15 places with the best quality of
life.
Canada's largest city is the fifth most populous city in North
America. The cosmopolitan hub, which consistently rates among the
world's most livable cities, has been a popular destination for
immigrants over the past few decades. Half of Toronto's racially
diverse population was born outside of Canada, compared with about
28 percent in global centers such as New York and London. About 30
percent of its residents speak a language other than Canada's
national languages, English, or French at home. The city is also
Canada's economic center, and home to the world's seventh largest
stock exchange by market capitalization. Its economy makes up
almost a fifth of Canada's gross domestic product (GDP).
Another key factor behind Toronto's high ranking is the personal
safety of its residents. Toronto is among five Canadian cities that
dominate North America's personal safety ranking. Tied with
Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa, and Calgary, Toronto is considered the
17th safest place in the world, more than 35 times safer than its
closest American counterparts Chicago, Honolulu, Houston and San
Francisco, according to the Mercer report.
14.
Ottawa, Canada
Population: 812,129
Ottawa is the capital city of Canada and one of six capital cities
to make the list. Home to Canada's federal agencies and foreign
embassies, the city has the most highly educated workforce per
capita in the country. Ottawa is also home to technology giants
such as Nortel Networks, Cisco Systems, Alcatel Lucent, and Dell,
with more than 90 percent of Canada's telecommunications research
and development conducted there.
A high quality of life is often associated with a high cost of
living in most cities on our list, but Ottawa defies that trend,
being crowned the least expensive Canadian city to live in this
year. Living in Ottawa is almost 55 times less expensive than
living in Toronto — Canada's costliest city, based on factors such
as housing, transport, food, and clothing. It is also considered
one of the cleanest in the world, coming in third in last year's
eco-city ranking, which measured factors such as water
drinkability, sewage systems, air pollution, and waste removal.
13.
Wellington, New Zealand
Population: 197,700
Wellington is one of only three cities in the Asia-Pacific region
to make the 2011 list.
The city is the world's southernmost capital and has the most
educated population in the country, with more than one-third of its
residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher. Incomes in
Wellington are above average for New Zealand. More than 40 percent
of households have annual incomes of more than $66,000. The city
also has a great climate, with 2,000 hours of sunshine every year,
compared to an average of 1,500 hours in global centers such as
London and 1,850 hours in Vancouver.
Despite high living standards for New Zealand's cities, the country
reported its first annual loss of migration in 10 years. For the
year to Oct. 31, 100 permanent residents left the country, compared
to a gain of 12,610 migrants for the same period dast year.
Neighboring Australia's booming economy, with higher wages and
lower unemployment, has been a big draw for New Zealanders.
12.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Population: 756,347
Amsterdam is one of the most visited cities on our list, renowned
for its red light district and marijuana serving coffee shops.
Coming to world prominence through trade during the Dutch Golden
Age in the 17th century, the city has maintained a high quality of
living as the cultural and financial center of the Netherlands.
It's home to the world's oldest stock exchange and its historic
canals, buildings, and infrastructure are a big draw for tourists.
The city promotes varying lifestyles and about 54 percent of its
households are single people. Households with two adults make up
only 20 percent of the population, according to government
statistics from 2009. The city also ranks among the top 20 in the
world when it comes to personal safety.
Once regarded among the more generous European countries in
welcoming immigrants, the Netherlands reputation has changed over
the past decade. The anti-Islam, anti-immigration Freedom Party is
a key ally for the ruling coalition in Parliament and has used its
influence to push for tougher immigration policies. In September,
the government announced plans to ban face-covering veils worn by
some Muslim women because lawmakers argued that it flouts the Dutch
way of life.
11.
Sydney, Australia
Population: 177,000
Sydney is Australia's biggest city by population and the economic
hub of the country. It accounts for about one quarter of
Australia's GDP.
The city is home to some of Australia's most iconic landmarks,
including the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Its metropolitan area
is set in one of the world's most stunning harbors and is
surrounded by national parks, bays, rivers, and beaches. As a major
business hub, Sydney is headquarters to almost 40 percent of the
top 500 Australian firms, as well as the location of 20 percent of
the country's finance sector, and 44 percent of its broadcasting
industry. The median average annual income for residents is more
than $55,000, with nearly one-fifth of its workforce making more
than $2,000 a week.
In comparison to the rest of the Asia-Pacific region, both
Australia and New Zealand far outweigh their counterparts in living
standards and personal safety because of their continuous
investment in infrastructure and public services. Many Asian cities
rank at the bottom of the survey due to social instability,
political turmoil, and natural disasters such as typhoons and
tsunamis, according to the study. Only three Asian cities —
Singapore at number 25, Tokyo at 46, and Kobe, Japan at 49 — make
the top 50 places in the quality of life survey.
9.
(Tied) Copenhagen, Denmark
Population: 548,443
Copenhagen has made Mercer's list of top 15 cities for the past
five years. The city's staying power highlights Europe's dominance
in the quality of life survey. In fact, as many as eight of the top
10 cities in the world are in Europe. These cities continue to have
high living standards because of their advanced infrastructure, and
high-class medical, recreational, and leisure facilities.
Copenhagen was also the second highest ranked European city among
the world's most eco-friendly places in 2010. Known as the city of
cyclists, it has a total 218 miles of cycle tracks, with about 36
percent of its population commuting by bicycle every day.
Health and well-being have become a big part of Danish lives, with
more than 15 percent of its population over the age of 65.
Increased health awareness has translated into Denmark becoming one
of the leading consumers and producers of organic food in Europe.
About 75 percent of food consumed in Copenhagen is organic, with
organic food bought in every one of 10 purchases.
9.
(Tied) Bern, Switzerland
Population: 130,000
Bern is the capital of Switzerland and one of three Swiss cities to
make the top 10. The city has consistently held on to the number
nine spot in the quality of life survey for the past four
years.
Located in the Swiss plateau, the center of the city known as the
old town of Bern, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Bern
has been able to maintain its medieval charm over the centuries and
has retained most of its historic features, including arcades,
fountains, sandstone facades, towers, and narrow streets. Often
ranked among the most expensive cities in the world, Bern is the
center of Swiss engineering and manufacturing with medical,
information technology, automotive, and luxury retail products such
as watches made there.
This year, Bern is ranked as the second safest city in the world,
after Luxembourg. Switzerland's neutrality, and reputation as the
traditional banking safe haven for the world's wealthy — has made
it an attractive place for relocation. However, growing immigration
has become a cause of concern for the locals. The right-wing Swiss
People's Party wants to limit the number of immigrants entering the
country, and the movement has seen a rise in popularity this year
after tapping into growing fears that immigration could hurt the
Alpine country's high standard of life. Foreigners make up 22
percent of the country's 7.9 million people and have been blamed
for rising rents, crowded public transportation, and higher
electricity bills.
8.
Geneva, Switzerland
Population: 200,000
Geneva is Switzerland's second most populous city and home to about
20 international organizations, including the United Nations, the
World Trade Organization, and the Red Cross. Its international role
is highlighted by the fact that delegates from more than 160
countries represent their governments in the city's international
conferences and organizations. Over 44 percent of the city's
population is made up of foreigners.
Located at the foot of the Swiss Alps, along the banks of Lake
Geneva, the city's natural environment also makes it one of the
greenest cities in Europe. About 20 percent of Geneva is covered in
green areas, giving it the name "city of parks." Geneva has
benefited from strict air pollution laws and other environmental
regulations, given that it is the base of many global environmental
groups.
As home to a large expatriate community, the cost of living in
Geneva is the highest in Europe. It's considered the fifth most
expensive city in the world, according to Mercer. The cosmopolitan
hub is also home to the world's most expensive private schools and
is said to have one of the world's best education systems.
7.
Frankfurt, Germany
Population: 688, 250
Frankfurt is one of three German cities to rank among the top 10 in
the world.
The city is the fifth largest in Germany and considered the largest
financial center in continental Europe. It's home to major
institutions such as the European Central Bank and the Frankfurt
Stock Exchange. Frankfurt is also a major transport hub for central
Europe given its modern infrastructure, including an integrated
high-speed rail network and a busy international airport. About 114
million passenger journeys are made on the city's subway system
annually, while 50 million passengers pass through the airport
annually — the ninth highest in volume globally.
Frankfurt is the 11th safest city in the world based on crime
levels and law enforcement effectiveness. The city made headlines
in September after its government banned local chapters of the
Hells Angels and confiscated their assets, citing a history of
drugs, weapons offences, and violence.
5.
(Tied) Vancouver, Canada
Population: 640,000
Vancouver is the only Canadian and North American city to make the
top 10 on the list.
The city is renowned for making numerous rankings of the world's
most livable city over the past decade. It has ranked among the top
five in the Mercer quality of living survey for the last five
years. Home to one of the mildest climates in Canada, Vancouver is
also its greenest city, with the smallest carbon footprint of any
major city in North America. Surrounded by water and snowy
mountains, Vancouver's government constantly promotes green
building, planning, and technology, with the ambition of becoming
the world's greenest city by 2020.
Despite being ranked as high as the 17th safest city in the world
along with its Canadian counterparts Toronto, Calgary, Montreal,
and Ottawa, Vancouver made headlines this past year for violent
riots. Graphic images were shown around the world in June, after
hockey fans went on a rampage following a loss in the Stanley Cup
finals.
5.
(Tied) Dusseldorf, Germany
Population: 586,217
Dusseldorf has made the list of the top 10 places for the past five
years.
The city by the river Rhine is the seventh most populated in
Germany and boasts advanced infrastructure. Renowned for its
fashion and trade fairs, the city has also become one of the top
telecommunications centers in the country. It is home to companies
such as Hewlett-Packard and Nokia Siemens. With more than 100
galleries, the city is also Germany's leading modern and
contemporary art capital.
German cities such as Dusseldorf have managed to maintain their
quality of life despite the global financial crisis and the recent
euro zone debt crisis, given the country's resilient export-driven
economy.
4.
Munich, Germany
Population: 1.35 million
Munich is Germany's third largest city and one of the country's key
economic centers.
As home to some of Germany's most notable businesses, including
engineering firm Siemens and insurer Allianz, the city generates
about 30 percent of the GDP of the State of Bavaria. The city's
purchasing power per capita was more than $33,700 in 2009, the
highest among all German cities and 32 percent above the national
average. Drawing immigrants to its industries from all over the
world, more than 40 percent of the city's residents are
foreigners.
Despite having a prosperous economy, Germany is facing a skilled
labor shortage with its aging population. Associations estimate
that 80,000 engineering jobs need to filled annually, along with
12,000 doctors and 66,000 IT specialists. Over the past few months,
the country's government has turned to debt-radden countries such
as Spain, Portugal, and Greece to find job seekers.
3.
Auckland, New Zealand
Population: 1.35 million
Auckland has the best quality of life in the Asia-Pacific region.
It has consistently placed within the top five best places to live
in the last five years.
As New Zealand's largest city, Auckland's 1.35 million people
account for more than 30 percent of the country's population. About
63 percent of its residents are of European descent, while Moaris
(native to New Zealand), and people of Pacific Islands descent make
up 24 percent. The city is uniquely set between two harbors, with
11 extinct volcanoes and numerous islands making it the city with
the world's largest boat ownership per capita. Auckland is also
ranked as the second safest city in the Asian region, behind
Singapore.
Political stability is another winning attribute for New Zealand,
compared to its Asian neighbors. In elections that just ended, the
ruling center-right National Party was re-elected. The party, led
by John Key, promises to spark economic growth by cutting debt and
curbing spending. Key has been one the most popular political
leaders in New Zealand's history, leading the country through
earthquakes, a coal mine disaster, and the global economic
downturn.
2.
Zurich, Switzerland
Population: 380,500
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and previously held the
title as the city with the best quality of life in the world.
Zurich is known as the economic engine of Switzerland, with one out
of every nine jobs in the country based there. Its low tax rates
attract overseas companies to set up headquarters, while the assets
of the 82 banks based there are equivalent to more than 85 percent
of the total value of all assets held in Switzerland. The city is
also the country's biggest tourist destination, famous for its
lakeside location and chain of hills that run from north to south,
providing an extensive range of leisure activities.
Zurich is Europe's third most expensive city, according to Mercer's
cost of living survey. Its finance sector generates nearly a third
of its wealth and about quarter of its jobs. The city's housing
market has become a source of tension in recent years, however,
with a shortage of apartments driving up living costs.
1.
Vienna, Austria
Population: 1.7 million
Vienna has won the title of the world's best city for quality of
life since 2009. It is one of three capital cities around the world
to make the top 10 list.
The city is Austria's largest by population, as well as the
cultural, economic, and political center of the nation. Vienna's
ability to transform old infrastructure into modern dwellings won
the city the 2010 UN urban planning award for improving the living
conditions of its residents. Under a multimillion-dollar program,
the city refurbished more than 5,000 buildings with nearly 250,000
apartments. Vienna is also the world's number one destination for
conferences, drawing five million tourists a year — equivalent to
three tourists for every city resident.
Countries such as Austria, Germany, and Switzerland have fared
quite well in the quality of life rankings, despite recent turmoil
in Europe. However, Mercer's senior researcher Slagin Parakatil
says these cities are not immune to decreases in living standards
if the region's economic troubles continue to go unsolved.
