World’s best cities for quality of life 2026: Canberra tops list, Europe dominates; Check list here
The findings highlight how factors such as affordability, safety, public amenities and economic conditions can shape the quality of life, beyond a city's reputation as a global business or cultural hub
- Oct 10, 2026,
- Updated Oct 10, 2026 1:30 AM IST
Canberra has emerged as the world’s best city for quality of life in 2026, followed by Bergen in Norway and Singapore, according to a ranking based on Oxford Economics’ 2026 Global Cities Index. European cities have dominated the list, accounting for 23 of the top 30 positions, while only two US cities have secured a place in the top 30.
The ranking, published by Visual Capitalist, evaluates cities on several factors that influence everyday living, including income levels, income equality, housing expenditure, life expectancy, crime and access to recreational and cultural facilities. The underlying Global Cities Index covers 1,000 cities worldwide.
The findings highlight how factors such as affordability, safety, public amenities and economic conditions can shape the quality of life, beyond a city's reputation as a global business or cultural hub.
READ THIS: Top 10 fastest-growing major economies in 2026: India leads with 6.2% ahead of China, US
Top 10 Cities For Quality Of Life In 2026
According to the ranking, Canberra secured the first position with a perfect score of 100, while Bergen and Singapore followed with scores of 94.3 and 91.6, respectively.
| Rank | City | Country | Quality of Life Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canberra | Australia | 100.0 |
| 2 | Bergen | Norway | 94.3 |
| 3 | Singapore | Singapore | 91.6 |
| 4 | Grenoble | France | 90.8 |
| 5 | Bern | Switzerland | 89.8 |
| 6 | Oslo | Norway | 89.3 |
| 7 | Luxembourg City | Luxembourg | 89.0 |
| 8 | Dresden | Germany | 88.5 |
| 9 | Ghent | Belgium | 88.4 |
| 10 | Paris | France | 88.1 |
Source: Visual Capitalist, based on Oxford Economics’ 2026 Global Cities Index.
Why Canberra Ranks First
Canberra's position at the top reflects its performance across several quality-of-life indicators. The Australian capital benefits from relatively high salaries, lower income inequality and a concentration of stable, well-paying government jobs.
The city also scores well on life expectancy and the availability of recreational and cultural facilities relative to its population. These factors have helped Canberra outperform much larger and more economically prominent urban centres.
Interestingly, Canberra ranks 45th in the overall Global Cities Index, demonstrating that a city can offer a high standard of everyday living without necessarily being among the world's leading economic powerhouses.
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Europe Dominates The Global Quality Of Life Ranking
Europe has emerged as the strongest-performing region, with 23 cities featuring in the top 30. Norway, Switzerland, Germany, France and Italy have particularly strong representation.
Norway has two cities in the top six, with Bergen at second place and Oslo at sixth. Switzerland also performs strongly, with Bern ranking fifth, Basel 11th and Zurich 14th.
Germany has five cities in the top 21: Dresden, Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart and Freiburg im Breisgau. France has Grenoble at fourth place and Paris at 10th, while Italy features Venice, Padua and Genoa in the top 30.
The results underline the strong performance of several European cities across indicators related to income distribution, health, housing expenditure and access to cultural and recreational amenities.
Canberra has emerged as the world’s best city for quality of life in 2026, followed by Bergen in Norway and Singapore, according to a ranking based on Oxford Economics’ 2026 Global Cities Index. European cities have dominated the list, accounting for 23 of the top 30 positions, while only two US cities have secured a place in the top 30.
The ranking, published by Visual Capitalist, evaluates cities on several factors that influence everyday living, including income levels, income equality, housing expenditure, life expectancy, crime and access to recreational and cultural facilities. The underlying Global Cities Index covers 1,000 cities worldwide.
The findings highlight how factors such as affordability, safety, public amenities and economic conditions can shape the quality of life, beyond a city's reputation as a global business or cultural hub.
READ THIS: Top 10 fastest-growing major economies in 2026: India leads with 6.2% ahead of China, US
Top 10 Cities For Quality Of Life In 2026
According to the ranking, Canberra secured the first position with a perfect score of 100, while Bergen and Singapore followed with scores of 94.3 and 91.6, respectively.
| Rank | City | Country | Quality of Life Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canberra | Australia | 100.0 |
| 2 | Bergen | Norway | 94.3 |
| 3 | Singapore | Singapore | 91.6 |
| 4 | Grenoble | France | 90.8 |
| 5 | Bern | Switzerland | 89.8 |
| 6 | Oslo | Norway | 89.3 |
| 7 | Luxembourg City | Luxembourg | 89.0 |
| 8 | Dresden | Germany | 88.5 |
| 9 | Ghent | Belgium | 88.4 |
| 10 | Paris | France | 88.1 |
Source: Visual Capitalist, based on Oxford Economics’ 2026 Global Cities Index.
Why Canberra Ranks First
Canberra's position at the top reflects its performance across several quality-of-life indicators. The Australian capital benefits from relatively high salaries, lower income inequality and a concentration of stable, well-paying government jobs.
The city also scores well on life expectancy and the availability of recreational and cultural facilities relative to its population. These factors have helped Canberra outperform much larger and more economically prominent urban centres.
Interestingly, Canberra ranks 45th in the overall Global Cities Index, demonstrating that a city can offer a high standard of everyday living without necessarily being among the world's leading economic powerhouses.
ALSO READ: Top 10 countries for science education: China leads global ranking, Singapore follows
Europe Dominates The Global Quality Of Life Ranking
Europe has emerged as the strongest-performing region, with 23 cities featuring in the top 30. Norway, Switzerland, Germany, France and Italy have particularly strong representation.
Norway has two cities in the top six, with Bergen at second place and Oslo at sixth. Switzerland also performs strongly, with Bern ranking fifth, Basel 11th and Zurich 14th.
Germany has five cities in the top 21: Dresden, Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart and Freiburg im Breisgau. France has Grenoble at fourth place and Paris at 10th, while Italy features Venice, Padua and Genoa in the top 30.
The results underline the strong performance of several European cities across indicators related to income distribution, health, housing expenditure and access to cultural and recreational amenities.