Vienna again named as world’s most livable city

VIENNA: Austria’s capital Vienna retained its position on top by offering the best quality of life in the world, while Baghdad remains the worst in an annual survey conducted by firm Mercer. Vienna is followed by Zurich (Switzerland) and then Auckland (New Zealand) and Munich (Germany) in joint third.

Mercer surveyed 231 cities on the basis of political stability, health care, education, crime, recreation and transport. Mercer’s survey helps companies and organizations to determine compensation and hardship allowances for international staff.

World’s top 10 most pleasant cities are in Europe, Germany and Switzerland have three cities whereas New Zealand, Canada and Australia each have one.

Vienna, with a population of 1.8 million, retained its position for the ninth year in a row,having moderate housing costs and comprehensive healthcare.

Vancouver ranked fifth, by offering the best quality of living in North America. Singapore at 25, London at 41^st, Montevideo at 77 and South Africa’s Durban ranked 89^th. Some eastern European cities such as Sarajevo at 159 and Bratislavaat 80.

Baghdad has been at the bottom of the list for a decade. Yemen’s capital Sanaa ranked two places above Baghdad, and Syria’s Damascus ranked six places above Baghdad.