The World's 10 Least Liveable Cities

Newly-published Global Liveability Index by Economist Intelligence Unit, unveiled its updated 2025 rankings of the world's most liveable and least liveable urban centres, among 173 worldwide.

 

 

Pic: Kind courtesy Bernard Gagnon/Wikimedia Commons

It is based on quality of life (like stability, healthcare, education, culture, environment, infrastructure). But this index was put together before bombs began raining down on Tel Aviv (above pic) and other Israeli cities. And does not have any info on Gaza. 

Pic: Nir Elias/Reuters

In this ranking India's capital, New Delhi, was placed at position 120 among 173 cities, with Mumbai following closely at 121st rank.

Pic: Kind courtesy Swaminarayan Sanstha/Wikimedia Commons

Damascus, Syria

The Syrian capital remains the least liveable spot on the globe even half a year after Bashar al-Assad’s exit, mainly because of lack of stability (scoring just 20) and poor healthcare (29.2).

Pic: Vaihayasi Pande Daniel/Rediff

Tripoli, Libya

The 7th century BC city on the Mediterranean Sea scores second worst with a stability score of 30, education at 58.3, and an overall rating of 40.

Pic: Kind courtesy Abdul-Jawad Elhusuni/Wikimedia Commons

Dhaka, Bangladesh 

One of the most densely populated cities with 34,000 people per sq km, it ranks third from the bottom with an overall score of 41.7. It gets: 41.7 in healthcare, 66.7 in education, but trails miserably in infrastructure with just 26.8.

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Karachi, Pakistan

It might be the 12th largest city in the world and Pakistan’s financial centre, but scores only 20 for stability. Education-wise it performs better at 75. Infrastructure: 51.8. Overall rating to 42.7.

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Algiers, Algeria  

The sixth largest city in the Arab world, also on the Mediterranean, quality of life is reflected in its scores: 35 for stability, 54.2 for healthcare, 45.4 in culture and environment and 5th from the bottom.

Pic: Kind courtesy Damouns (Damien Boilley)/Wikimedia Commons

Lagos, Nigeria

Nigeria's capital city has been showing slight progress yet faces major urban hurdles, scoring worst in stability. Total score of 43.5, 30 for stability, 37.5 for healthcare, 41.7 for education, 53.6 for infrastructure.

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Harare, Zimbabwe 

Healthcare is rather shabby in Zimbabwe's capital (once called Salisbury) getting only 29.2. It gets 40 in stability and Harare struggles in basic services with infrastructure limited to 35.7. Total score: 43.8.

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Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Its close proximity to Australia, that has some of the most liveable cities in the world, does not help crime-ridden Port Moresby's lot in life. It is the world's 8th worst at 44.1, losing out on stability at 30 and is one of the globe's most dangerous cities to boot.

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Kyiv, Ukraine

The ongoing war with Russia has turned beautiful and once very liveable Kyiv into the 9th worst city, losing out, not surprisingly, on stability (40) and infrastructure (26.8) while education does well at 75.

Pic: Vaihayasi Pande Daniel/Rediff

Caracas, Venezuela

In a country that has some of the highest homicide rates in the world, it is unlikely its capital will be particularly liveable. Caracas scores a meagre 35 for stability and 37.5 in healthcare. And a total score of 44.9.

Pic: Kind courtesy Carlos Santos Colorado/Wikimedia Commons
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