Vancouver claims top 10 spot in global livability rankings while other Canadian cities decline
On This Page You Will Find:
- Why Vancouver jumped into the world's top 10 most livable cities despite other Canadian cities dropping
- The exact scores and categories that put Vancouver ahead of 163 other global cities
- How this ranking impacts your decision to immigrate to Canada in 2025
- What other major Canadian cities lost ground and why
- Actionable insights for choosing the best Canadian city for your immigration goals
Summary:
Vancouver has secured its position as the only Canadian city in the global top 10 most livable cities for 2025, earning an impressive 95.8 out of 100 from the Economist Intelligence Unit. While cities like Calgary and Toronto experienced notable declines, Vancouver's strengths in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and cultural diversity keep it at the forefront of desirable immigration destinations. For anyone considering a move to Canada, this ranking provides crucial insight into which cities offer the best quality of life and long-term opportunities.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Vancouver is the only Canadian city ranked in the global top 10 most livable cities for 2025 with a score of 95.8/100
- Calgary dropped to 18th place while Toronto also experienced significant ranking declines
- Healthcare scores were lowered for several Canadian cities, but Vancouver maintained its strong performance
- Copenhagen overtook Vienna as the world's #1 most livable city for the first time in three years
- All 21 North American cities in the study still scored above 80, placing them in the highest livability tier
Maria Santos refreshed her laptop screen for the third time, double-checking the immigration forums. "Is Vancouver really worth the extra cost?" she wondered, comparing rental prices between Canadian cities. Like thousands of prospective immigrants, Maria was trying to balance her dreams of Canadian life with practical realities.
Then the 2025 Global Liveability Index dropped, and everything became crystal clear.
Vancouver didn't just make the list – it claimed the #10 spot globally, becoming the only Canadian city to crack the top 10. With a score of 95.8 out of 100, this Pacific coast city proved that sometimes, you really do get what you pay for.
What Launched Vancouver Into the Global Top 10
The Economist Intelligence Unit doesn't mess around when ranking cities. They evaluate 173 global locations using 30 specific factors, and Vancouver excelled where it matters most for immigrants like Maria.
Here's how Vancouver dominated the competition:
Stability (Political & Social): Perfect scores for political stability and low crime rates. You won't find protests disrupting your daily commute or worry about social unrest affecting your family's safety.
Healthcare Excellence: World-class medical facilities with universal coverage. Coming from countries with expensive private healthcare, this represents thousands in annual savings.
Education Infrastructure: Home to the University of British Columbia (ranked among global top 40) and Simon Fraser University. Your children get access to education that opens doors worldwide.
Cultural Richness: Over 50% of Vancouver's population was born outside Canada. You'll find communities from virtually every corner of the globe, making integration smoother than you'd expect.
Transportation & Infrastructure: Efficient SkyTrain system, walkable neighborhoods, and bike-friendly streets. Many Vancouver residents don't even own cars.
The scoring system is brutal – cities lose points for everything from traffic congestion to political instability. Vancouver's 95.8 score puts it ahead of major global centers like Paris, London, and New York.
The Surprising Canadian City Shake-Up
While Vancouver celebrated, other Canadian cities faced reality checks that shocked immigration consultants across the country.
Calgary plummeted to 18th place – a dramatic fall that caught experts off guard. The city that once competed directly with Vancouver for immigrant attention now trails significantly behind.
Toronto, Canada's largest city and traditional immigration magnet, also experienced notable declines. The culprit? Healthcare system strain and infrastructure challenges that come with rapid population growth.
Here's what happened to Canada's other major centers:
- Calgary: Dropped to 18th (previously much higher)
- Toronto: Significant decline from previous years
- Multiple Canadian cities: Lost points specifically in healthcare categories
The healthcare scoring decline affects real people. Longer wait times, overwhelmed emergency rooms, and specialist shortages in these cities directly impact quality of life for new immigrants who rely heavily on public healthcare during their first years in Canada.
Despite these declines, all 21 North American cities in the study still scored above 80 – the threshold for the highest livability tier. This means even "declining" Canadian cities remain excellent choices globally.
Global Competition: Who's Setting the Bar
For the first time in three years, Copenhagen dethroned Vienna to claim the #1 position worldwide. The Danish capital achieved perfect 100s in stability, education, and infrastructure – categories where Vancouver also excels.
The global top 10 reveals interesting patterns for prospective immigrants:
Western Europe dominates: Copenhagen, Vienna, and several other European cities maintain their stranglehold on top positions.
Asia-Pacific stays strong: Melbourne, Sydney, and Tokyo continue their excellent performance, proving that quality infrastructure transcends geography.
Surprising declines: London, Manchester, and Edinburgh dropped sharply due to social unrest and housing affordability crises. Sound familiar to anyone watching Toronto's housing market?
The Middle East and North Africa showed the most improvement this year, with cities across Saudi Arabia and the UAE investing heavily in healthcare and education infrastructure.
Why These Rankings Matter for Your Immigration Decision
If you're choosing between Canadian cities, this data provides crucial insight beyond just job opportunities and housing costs.
Healthcare Access Reality Check: Vancouver's maintained healthcare scores mean shorter wait times and better access to specialists. When you're establishing yourself in a new country, reliable healthcare isn't luxury – it's necessity.
Education Investment Protection: With children's education, you're making a 12+ year commitment. Vancouver's consistent high education scores protect that investment better than cities experiencing decline.
Long-term Stability: Immigration is a long-term decision. Cities that maintain high livability scores year over year demonstrate sustainable quality of life, not just temporary advantages.
Integration Advantages: Vancouver's cultural diversity scores reflect real community support systems. You'll find established communities from your home country, cultural centers, and integration programs that ease your transition.
Economic Resilience: Cities that maintain top global rankings typically weather economic downturns better, protecting your career investments and family's future.
Consider this: if you're planning a 5-10 year path to Canadian citizenship, choosing a city that's improving rather than declining could mean the difference between thriving and merely surviving.
The Real Cost of Livability
Yes, Vancouver is expensive. Rental prices exceed most other Canadian cities, and housing costs remain challenging. But the livability ranking reveals why many immigrants consider it worthwhile.
When you factor in:
- Reduced transportation costs (excellent public transit)
- Healthcare savings (superior system performance)
- Education value (world-class institutions)
- Career opportunities (stable, diverse economy)
- Quality of life factors (natural beauty, cultural richness)
The total cost of living equation becomes more complex than simple rent comparisons.
Many successful immigrants report that Vancouver's higher upfront costs led to better long-term outcomes – higher salaries, better career progression, and improved family satisfaction.
Making Your Immigration City Choice
The 2025 rankings don't mean you should automatically choose Vancouver over other Canadian cities. Your personal situation, career field, and family needs matter more than any ranking.
But they do provide objective data about which cities are improving versus declining, and where your family is most likely to thrive long-term.
Consider Vancouver if:
- You prioritize healthcare and education quality
- You value cultural diversity and integration support
- You can handle higher initial living costs for long-term benefits
- You work in technology, education, healthcare, or international business
Consider other cities if:
- Housing affordability is your primary concern
- Your industry has stronger presence elsewhere
- You prefer smaller city environments
- You have established family/community connections
Vancouver's Continued Excellence Sets the Standard
The 2025 Global Liveability Index confirms what many immigrants discover after arriving: Vancouver offers a rare combination of urban sophistication, natural beauty, cultural diversity, and institutional excellence that few cities worldwide can match.
While other Canadian cities experienced setbacks, Vancouver's consistent performance demonstrates the stability and quality that make immigration investments worthwhile.
For prospective immigrants like Maria, the ranking provides clarity. Sometimes the more expensive option delivers value that justifies the cost – especially when you're making decisions that will shape your family's next decade.
Vancouver's top 10 global ranking isn't just a number. It's validation that choosing quality over initial affordability often proves wise for immigration decisions. In a world where you're already taking the significant step of changing countries, choosing a destination that consistently delivers excellent quality of life makes that leap more likely to succeed.
The city continues to prove that when it comes to building a new life in Canada, excellence has its rewards.
FAQ
Q: What specific factors helped Vancouver achieve its #10 ranking in the 2025 Global Liveability Index?
Vancouver earned its impressive 95.8 out of 100 score by excelling across multiple key categories that the Economist Intelligence Unit evaluates. The city achieved perfect scores in political stability and maintains exceptionally low crime rates, creating a secure environment for families and professionals. Vancouver's healthcare system outperformed other Canadian cities with shorter wait times and better specialist access, while its education infrastructure includes world-renowned institutions like the University of British Columbia (ranked in the global top 40) and Simon Fraser University. The city's cultural diversity, with over 50% of residents born outside Canada, creates strong integration support systems for newcomers. Additionally, Vancouver's efficient SkyTrain system, walkable neighborhoods, and bike-friendly infrastructure contribute to its high livability scores, allowing many residents to live comfortably without owning vehicles.
Q: Why did other major Canadian cities like Calgary and Toronto decline in the 2025 rankings while Vancouver succeeded?
The primary factor behind the decline of other Canadian cities was healthcare system strain, which significantly impacted their overall scores. Calgary dropped to 18th place due to healthcare challenges and infrastructure pressures, while Toronto experienced notable declines from overwhelmed emergency rooms, longer specialist wait times, and healthcare system capacity issues related to rapid population growth. These cities lost crucial points in healthcare categories that directly affect residents' quality of life, especially new immigrants who rely heavily on public healthcare during their first years in Canada. Vancouver managed to maintain its strong healthcare performance despite similar growth pressures, demonstrating better system management and infrastructure planning. The scoring system penalizes cities for declining services, and while all Canadian cities still scored above 80 (the highest livability tier), the relative differences became more pronounced in 2025's competitive global landscape.
Q: How does Vancouver's ranking impact immigration decisions for people choosing between Canadian cities in 2025?
Vancouver's top 10 global ranking provides crucial objective data for immigration planning, though it shouldn't be the only deciding factor. The ranking indicates Vancouver offers superior long-term stability in healthcare access, education quality, and infrastructure development compared to declining Canadian cities. For immigrants making 5-10 year commitments toward Canadian citizenship, choosing a city with improving rather than declining livability scores can mean the difference between thriving and struggling. Vancouver's consistent performance suggests better career opportunities, more reliable public services, and stronger community integration support. However, prospective immigrants must balance these advantages against Vancouver's higher housing costs and living expenses. The ranking is most valuable for families prioritizing healthcare and education quality, those working in technology or international business, and immigrants who can manage higher initial costs for long-term benefits. Personal factors like industry presence, family connections, and individual financial situations should ultimately guide the final decision.
Q: What does Copenhagen's rise to #1 and other global ranking changes mean for Vancouver's competitive position?
Copenhagen's displacement of Vienna as the world's #1 most livable city demonstrates the intense global competition Vancouver faces, while also highlighting what excellence looks like. Copenhagen achieved perfect 100s in stability, education, and infrastructure – the same categories where Vancouver excels – showing that Vancouver's strengths align with global best practices. The global top 10 continues to be dominated by Western European cities, with Asia-Pacific cities like Melbourne, Sydney, and Tokyo maintaining strong positions, placing Vancouver in elite company. Notably, traditional powerhouses like London, Manchester, and Edinburgh dropped sharply due to social unrest and housing affordability crises, issues that Vancouver has managed more effectively. The Middle East and North Africa showed the most improvement through infrastructure investments, indicating that global competition will intensify. Vancouver's sustained top 10 position amid this competitive landscape demonstrates its resilience and suggests the city's livability advantages are sustainable rather than temporary, making it a reliable choice for long-term immigration planning.
Q: Is Vancouver's higher cost of living justified by its livability ranking, and how should immigrants factor this into their decision?
Vancouver's higher costs become more justifiable when viewed through the total cost of living equation rather than simple rent comparisons. The city's superior public transit system reduces or eliminates car ownership costs, while its maintained healthcare performance means shorter wait times and better specialist access – crucial for families establishing themselves in Canada. Vancouver's world-class education institutions provide better long-term value for children's futures, and the city's stable, diverse economy typically offers higher salary potential and better career progression opportunities. Many successful Vancouver immigrants report that higher upfront costs led to better outcomes over 5-10 years through improved earnings and quality of life. However, this equation works best for immigrants who can handle initial financial pressure and work in industries with strong Vancouver presence like technology, healthcare, education, or international business. The ranking validates that Vancouver's premium pricing reflects genuine value, but immigrants must honestly assess their financial capacity and career prospects to determine if the investment makes sense for their specific situation.
