Karachi again ranked among the least habitable cities in the world, according to the latest global viability index published by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
In the 2025 edition of the annual survey, Pakistan’s Financial Hub was ranked 170 out of 173 cities evaluated. Karachi received a global score of 42.7 out of 100, placing it just above Dhaka (Bangladesh), Tripoli (Libya) and Damascus (Syria).
Karachi was the only Pakistani city to appear in the index this year. In comparison, the top of the list included cities like Copenhagen, which marked 98.0, followed by Vienna and Zurich, each with a score of 97.1. Melbourne (97.0) and Geneva (96.8) finished the first five.
The Austrian capital, which has placed itself as the most livable city in the world from 2022 to 2024, fell in second place after its stability score has decreased due to two foiled terrorist attacks – a concert by Taylor Swift and another in a station.
It is relevant to know that Karachi’s position has remained relatively unchanged in recent years. In 2024, the city was ranked 169th, grouped in a similar way with cities such as Lagos, Tripoli, Algiers and Damascus.
The Global EIU viability index is a benchmark report that assesses urban living conditions in 173 world cities, providing comparative information to governments, companies and global institutions.
Top 10 “most habitable cities” of 2024
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Vienna, Austria
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Melbourne, Australia
- Geneva, Switzerland
- Sydney, Australia
- Osaka, Japan
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Adelaide, Australia
- Vancouver, Canada
In October 2024, the Asian Development Bank (AfDB) reported a drop in the life of the cities of Pakistan, noting that urban centers become more and more ineffective.
The BAD also identified social inequalities as an important challenge in Karachi. According to the evaluation, most affluent residents live in areas of cantonment or private housing companies, while low -income communities are largely concentrated in Karachi East, the most populous district of the city.