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Melbourne Ranked World’s Most Livable City for Seventh Year

Six of the best cities to live in are in Australia and Canada, report finds

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Melbourne is ranked the most livable city in the world by Economist Intelligence Unit.

marinatomic/Getty Images
Melbourne is ranked the most livable city in the world by Economist Intelligence Unit.
marinatomic/Getty Images

Melbourne, Australia, has been named the world’s most livable city for the seventh straight year by Economist Intelligence Unit.

In its Global Livability Report 2017, the research arm of U.K.-based Economist Group gave Melbourne a score of 97.5 out of 100 for its stability, health care, culture and environment, education and infrastructure, the five categories used to examine 140 urban centers worldwide.

More:Melbourne Named World’s Most Livable City (Again)

Vienna was ranked second with a rating of 97.4, according to the report, released this week.

The top cities tend to be mid-sized, in wealthier countries, and with relatively low population density. "These can foster a range of recreational activities without leading to high crime levels or overburdened infrastructure," according to the report.

Six out of the 10 best cities to live in are in Australia and Canada. Canada’s Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary were third, fourth and fifth respectively.  

From 2002 until 2010, Vancouver had the title of the world’s most livable city.

Economist Intelligence Unit

Conversely, most Western European and U.S. cities, suffering from the growing unrest over heightened terrorist threats, a migration crisis, racial tensions and other political uncertainties, are seen as less stable and desirable places to live, according to the report.

The world’s least livable cities are hit with economic poverty or political conflict, according to the report. The city ranked lowest on the list is  Damascus, Syria, due to the hardship caused by ongoing civil war.