For the first time, Auckland is at the top of the list of most liveable cities, thanks to New Zealand’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
New Zealand’s biggest city was ranked 12th in 2019, the last time the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) published rankings, while Wellington also made a significant jump in the March rankings, up to fourth from 25 th .
EIU’s index ranks 140 cities across five areas, stability, healthcare, education, culture and environment, and infrastructure.
Auckland scored 95 for stability, 95.8 for healthcare, 97.9 for culture and environment, 100 for education and 92.9 for infrastructure.
Wellington had 95, 91.7, 95.1, 100, and 89.3 respectively for stability, healthcare, education, culture and environment, and infrastructure.
“Owing to border closures and a consequently low Covid-19 case count, New Zealand has been able to keep its theatres, restaurants and other cultural attractions open,” the report said.
Australian, Japanese and Swiss cities round out the top 10.
City
Location
Rank
Index
Stability
Healthcare
Culture & Environment
Education
Infrastructure
Auckland
New Zealand
1
96.0
95
95.8
97.9
100.0
92.9
Osaka
Japan
2
94.2
100
100.0
83.1
91.7
96.4
Adelaide
Australia
3
94.0
95
100.0
83.8
100.0
96.4
Wellington
New Zealand
4
93.7
95
91.7
95.1
100.0
89.3
Tokyo
Japan
4
93.7
100
100.0
84.0
91.7
92.9
Perth
Australia
6
93.3
95
100.0
78.2
100.0
100.0
Zurich
Switzerland
7
92.8
95
100.0
85.9
83.3
96.4
Geneva
Switzerland
8
92.5
95
100.0
84.5
83.3
96.4
Melbourne
Australia
8
92.5
95
83.3
88.2
100.0
100.0
Brisbane
Australia
10
92.4
95
100.0
85.9
100.0
85.7
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