Karachi has once again been ranked among the least liveable cities in the world, according to the 2025 Global Liveability Index released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
The port city dropped to 170th out of 173 cities, highlighting ongoing concerns over stability, healthcare, infrastructure, education, and environmental quality.
The index evaluates cities based on more than 30 qualitative and quantitative indicators grouped into five key categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. Cities are then rated on a scale ranging from "acceptable" to "intolerable."
The top 10
1. Copenhagen, Denmark
2. Vienna, Austria
2. Zurich, Switzerland
4. Melbourne, Australia
5. Geneva, Switzerland
6. Sydney, Australia
7. Osaka, Japan
7. Auckland, New Zealand
9. Adelaide, Australia
10. Vancouver, Canada
Lagos, Nigeria was declared the least liveable city, ranking 173rd, while Vienna, Austria claimed the top spot for the seventh consecutive year due to its exceptional scores in healthcare, infrastructure, and cultural offerings.
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab responds
Reacting strongly to the report, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab dismissed the index's findings, calling them unrepresentative of the city’s spirit and growth. “I do not believe in this survey report about Karachi. My city was, is, and will always remain a great city,” Wahab said in a media statement.
He further emphasized that Karachi remains the economic and cultural heart of Pakistan, attracting thousands of people from across the country every day. “If there’s any other city that is better, why doesn’t everyone go there? People come to Karachi because it offers opportunities,” he added.
Acknowledging the city’s challenges, Wahab maintained that Karachi's problems must be solved by its own people - not by external rating agencies. “If there are shortcomings, we will overcome them ourselves -- not the creators of these indices,” he asserted.
