Vancouver, British Columbia, has once again earned global recognition by securing a place among the top 10 most livable cities in the world in the 2026 Global Liveability Index, published by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
The city ranked 9th globally, making it the only North American city to feature in the top 10 for the second consecutive year. The 2026 rankings assessed 173 cities worldwide, evaluating their overall quality of life across key factors such as healthcare, education, stability, infrastructure, and culture.
Vancouver Improves Its Global Ranking
Vancouver climbed one position from 10th place in 2025 to 9th in 2026, with its overall livability score improving slightly from 95.8 to 96.0.
The city’s category-wise performance includes:
- Education: Perfect score of 100/100
- Healthcare: Increased from 95.8 to 96
- Infrastructure: Improved from 92.9 to 93
- Culture and Environment: Slightly declined from 97.2 to 97, while still remaining one of the highest-scoring cities in this category
Although Vancouver moved up this year, it remains below its 7th-place finish in 2024. Historically, the city was consistently ranked among the world’s most livable cities, holding the No. 1 position for nearly a decade between 2002 and 2010.
Top 10 Most Livable Cities in 2026
Europe dominated this year’s rankings with four cities in the top 10, while the remaining positions were shared by cities in Oceania, Asia, and North America.
Compared to last year, Tokyo, Japan entered the top 10, replacing Auckland, New Zealand.
How the Rankings Are Determined
The Economist Intelligence Unit evaluates cities using 30 different indicators, grouped into five major categories:
- Stability (25%) – Crime levels, terrorism risks, military conflict, and civil unrest
- Healthcare (20%) – Availability and quality of public and private healthcare services
- Culture and Environment (25%) – Climate, recreational opportunities, cultural attractions, social environment, and consumer services
- Education (10%) – Access to and quality of public and private education
- Infrastructure (20%) – Transportation, housing, utilities, telecommunications, and international connectivity
Each category receives a score between 1 and 100, which contributes to the city’s final livability rating.
Why This Matters for Future Residents
Vancouver’s continued recognition as one of the world’s most livable cities highlights Canada’s strong reputation for offering an exceptional quality of life. With excellent healthcare, world-class education, modern infrastructure, and a safe, welcoming environment, Vancouver remains a preferred destination for skilled workers, international students, and families planning to build a future in Canada.
At Oasis Visas, we help aspiring immigrants explore the best pathways to live, work, and settle in Canada. Whether you’re planning to apply through Express Entry, a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), or another immigration stream, our team can guide you through every step of your Canadian immigration journey.
