Karachi has been ranked the fourth worst city to live in, according to the 2025 Global Liveability Index released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), an affiliate of The Economist.

The Pakistani metropolis secured the 170th position out of 173 cities, surpassing only Dhaka (Bangladesh), Tripoli (Libya), and Damascus (Syria).

The EIU’s annual ranking evaluates cities based on over 30 indicators across five key categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.

Copenhagen topped the index, followed by Vienna, Zurich, Melbourne, and Geneva. Vienna, last year’s top-ranked city, dropped to second place due to two foiled terrorist attacks, one targeting a Taylor Swift concert and the other a train station, lowering its stability score.

London and New York were ranked 54th and 69th, respectively, impacted by high crime rates, terrorism threats, and traffic congestion. Tokyo, the world’s most populous city, ranked 13th.

The report noted a significant decline in the rankings of all UK cities included London, Manchester, and Edinburgh due to widespread riots and rising homelessness.

Canadian cities, including Calgary and Toronto, experienced drops linked to declining healthcare scores.

On a positive note, cities in the Middle East—notably in Saudi Arabia and the UAE saw some of the most significant gains in livability, thanks to advancements in healthcare and education.

South Asian cities, including five in India, generally fared poorly, with the report citing pollution, rising temperatures, and military tensions on the Kashmir border as major factors affecting stability and environmental scores.

Damascus remained at the bottom of the list, but the report expressed optimism for future improvement following the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December and the lifting of U.S. sanctions, which may enhance Syria’s prospects in the next edition.