Vancouver ranks in global top 10 liveable cities
Vancouver secured the 9th position in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) 2026 Global Liveability Index, released on July 7, with an overall score of 96 out of 100. The ranking placed the British Columbia city among the world’s top 10 for quality of life.
This marks the second consecutive year that Vancouver is the only North American city included in the top tier of the index. The annual report evaluated 173 cities worldwide using standardized indicators across multiple sectors.
The latest results highlight continued global competition among urban centres, with European cities maintaining a strong presence and modest changes recorded in rankings compared to 2025.
- Vancouver ranked 9th globally with a score of 96 in 2026
- It remains the only North American city in the top 10 for the second year
- The EIU assessed 173 cities using 30 indicators across five categories
- Tokyo entered the top 10, while Auckland dropped out
- Vancouver maintained a perfect score in education
- European cities accounted for four of the top 10 positions
Global rankings reflect consistent urban performance
The EIU’s Global Liveability Index is published annually to compare living conditions across major international cities. In 2026, the composition of the top 10 remained broadly consistent with the previous year, although some changes were noted.
Tokyo entered the top group, replacing Auckland, while most European cities retained strong rankings. Cities included in the leading group span Europe, Asia, Oceania, and North America.
The report also noted that cities placed at the lower end of the ranking were largely affected by ongoing instability or economic challenges. Locations such as Damascus, Tripoli, and Karachi were among those listed near the bottom of the index.
Vancouver’s score and category performance
Vancouver’s overall score increased slightly from 95.8 in 2025 to 96 in 2026. The city recorded small gains in several key areas while maintaining high results across all five categories evaluated by the EIU.
Healthcare improved marginally, while infrastructure also saw a modest increase. The culture and environment category experienced a slight decrease, although it remained among the city’s strongest-performing areas.
The city continued to achieve a full score of 100 in education, reflecting consistency in this category. Overall, Vancouver’s performance remained stable compared to previous years.
Historical context of Vancouver’s ranking
Vancouver has maintained a long-standing presence in the upper range of global liveability rankings. The city previously held the number one position for several years between 2002 and 2010.
Although its ranking has gradually shifted over time, it has consistently remained within the top 10 in recent years. In 2024, Vancouver placed seventh globally, before moving to tenth in 2025 and ninth in 2026.
Other Canadian cities have also appeared in past rankings. Calgary, for example, ranked fifth globally in 2024, indicating broader Canadian representation in earlier editions of the index.
These rankings continue to be referenced in discussions related to economic development, immigration trends, and urban planning within Canada.
Methodology behind the EIU index
The EIU evaluated cities using 30 indicators grouped into five weighted categories. Each category contributes a defined percentage toward the final score, allowing for standardized comparisons across global regions.
Stability and culture and environment each account for 25% of the total score. Healthcare and infrastructure contribute 20% each, while education represents 10% of the weighting.
Indicators include factors such as crime rates, access to healthcare, educational quality, climate conditions, public transport systems, and the availability of housing and services.
Each indicator is assigned a score between 1 and 100, which is then combined to produce category-level and overall scores. Cities are subsequently grouped based on overall liveability classifications ranging from intolerable to ideal.
Comparison with other global cities
The 2026 rankings show a continued concentration of highly rated cities in Europe, which accounted for four of the top 10 positions. Asia and Oceania also featured prominently, alongside Vancouver as the sole North American representative.
The inclusion of Tokyo reflects shifting dynamics in global urban rankings, while the exclusion of Auckland indicates minor year-to-year adjustments rather than large-scale changes.
At the lower end of the ranking spectrum, cities affected by conflict or economic instability showed significantly reduced scores. The EIU noted that these conditions directly influence performance across multiple categories, particularly stability and infrastructure.
Relevance for Canada’s immigration landscape
Liveability rankings are often referenced alongside immigration patterns, as major urban centres continue to attract international newcomers. Vancouver remains a key destination within Canada due to its economic activity and established infrastructure.
Provinces across Canada, including British Columbia, operate immigration pathways that align with regional economic needs. For example, the British Columbia PNP includes selection streams targeting skilled workers and graduates.
Although rankings such as the EIU index are not directly tied to immigration selection systems, they provide contextual information about living standards in destination cities.
Other provinces, including Manitoba and Ontario, maintain similar nomination programs designed to address labour market demands and population growth objectives.
Ongoing evaluation of urban conditions
The EIU index remains one of several global benchmarks assessing urban living standards. Its methodology provides a structured approach to comparing cities across diverse regions and economic conditions.
Annual updates allow for the tracking of incremental changes in city performance, reflecting developments in public services, infrastructure, and social conditions.
Vancouver’s 2026 ranking, with an overall score of 96 and a ninth-place position, represents a continuation of its long-standing presence among the world’s highest-rated cities.
Further updates to global rankings and related immigration trends continue to be monitored through publicly available data and ongoing policy developments.