According to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) Global Liveability Index for 2019, Indian cities did not perform well. New Delhi, ranking at 118th position, has experienced the most profound decline in Asia. This drop is primarily attributed to the downgrades in culture, environment, and stability scores due to escalating crime rates. Meanwhile, Mumbai also experienced a drop, sliding two places from last year to rank 119th on account of a downgrade in its culture score.
Top Rankers in Global Liveability Index
In this global list, Vienna, Austria’s capital, secured the top spot for the second consecutive year. On a broader scale, it was observed that Asian cities scored slightly below the global average. Interestingly, out of the ten least liveable cities worldwide, three are from Asia: Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea (135th), Karachi in Pakistan (136th), and Dhaka in Bangladesh (138th).
Performance of BRICS countries in the Global Liveability Index
When examining the BRICS nations’ performance, Suzhou, a city in China, emerged as the top-ranking city at 75th, while India’s capital, New Delhi, lagged behind, emerging as the lowest-ranked city at 118th.
The Basis of Ranking in the Global Liveability Index
The Economic Intelligence Unit ranked 140 cities for the Global Liveability Index. The rankings were based on how each country fared across five broad categories: Stability, Healthcare, Culture and Environment, Education, and Infrastructure. Each factor within a city was rated on a scale ranging from acceptable, tolerable, uncomfortable, undesirable, or intolerable.
| Categories | Description |
|---|---|
| Stability | Assesses the level of peace and security in the city |
| Healthcare | Evaluates the quality and availability of healthcare services |
| Culture and Environment | Studies the cultural aspects, leisure activities, and climatic conditions |
| Education | Analyses the standard and accessibility of education |
| Infrastructure | Examines the state of infrastructure, including public transport, energy supply, water and sanitation facilities |
Conclusion: The EIU’s Global Liveability Index and its Implications
The Economic Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index plays a crucial role in comparing cities across different geographical locations based on key living conditions. Such indexes highlight areas that require improvement and foster a competitive environment among cities to enhance their global standings. In the Indian context, the lower rankings point towards the necessity for comprehensive planning and implementation at various levels of governance to enhance the liveability standards in the cities.
