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From the west to the east, north to the south, every country has a different race, lifestyle, religion and quality of life. Usually, the well-developed countries like United States of America, Canada, Germany and more are known to have the highest lifestyle. And often than not, they brag cities showcasing the beauty and development of the entire country.
In 2010, a survey ranking list showed that Vienna garnered the top rank with the highest quality of life. It remained in the top one list throughout the following years, maintaining and progressing more successfully. The Mercer Quality of Living 2015 Survey has been released enlisting 221 cities from all over the world.
With the main purpose of helping the government and major companies appoint representatives and employees on foreign positions. The survey was conducted based on the cities with the highest personal safety focusing on the internal stability, crime rates, effectiveness of law enforcement and relationships with other countries.
10. Sydney, Australia (2010 Index: 106.3)
Source and image: en.wikimedia.org
Sydney is massively advancing on its market economy focusing in finance, production and tourism. The city is not only the seventh best cities to live in the world but also one of the most loved cities because of its active and dynamic buzz. The Eastern Australian city is a wealthy world metropolis where the second official seat and second official residence of the most influential government officials are located. Abundant historical and modern Australian characteristics and taste are present in Sydney.
With an advancing economic market, Sydney is the top financial hub in the entire Asia Pacific. Sydney has maintained its tenth rank for five consecutive years. Since the Summer Olympics in 2000, plenty of tourists visit the place to see the city’s landmark and natural attractions such as the Sydney harbour, Royal National Park, Royal Botanic Gardens and the Bondi Beach. It is primarily strong in finance, manufacturing, and tourism.
9. Copenhagen, Denmark (2010 Index: 106.2)
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The capital and most populated city in Denmark, Copenhagen has an estimate of 1,263,698 urban populations as of January 2015. In the 10th century, the city has been founded as the fishing village until it became the capital of Denmark-Norway in the fifteenth century. The city boasts off their booming tourism and historical sceneries such as The Børsen (The Exchange), The Rundetårn (Round Tower), Rosenborg Castle and more recently Frederiksstaden. The city has strongly urbanized and culturally developed in the 21st century with the assistance of institutions and infrastructure.
The center of Denmark’s economy, government, and culture, the Copenhagen Stock Exchange has made the city the major financial hub of Northern Europe. The service sector and pharmaceutical industries were also developed with the primary function in promoting a clean technology with support in city’s goal of carbon-neutralization by 2025. Ranking in the top 11 in 2010, the city jumped in the ninth place from 2012 and 2014 maintaining its place in 2015.
8. Geneva, Switzerland (2010 Index: 107.9)
Source and image: en.wikimedia.org
The second most populated city in Switzerland, Geneva is located in the Rhône exit of Lake Geneva. As of 2014, the municipality recorded an estimate of 197, 376 populations. With the presence of various foreign organizations, it became the global city, financial hub, and diplomatic international center. It is the home of the United Nations and the Red Cross, and also known for the multiple times of hosting several international organizations in the world. Additionally, the signing of the Geneva Conventions which involves the treatment of wartime among the non-combatants and prisoners of war took place in the city. According to the Global Financial Centers Index, the city is the ninth most essential financial center in the world.
Often regarded as the world’s most compact metropolis, Geneva is also known as the “Peace Capital” of the world. Now, the economy features strength in the service sector. However, it has a substantial role in the finance sector that concentrates in private banking and international trade financing. Most of the major and multinational companies are housed in the city and most of the company’s headquarters are located in the place like JT International (JTI), Caterpillar, Weatherford International, Procter and Gamble, Oracle Corporation and any more.
7. Frankfurt, Germany (2010 Index: 107.0)
Source and image: en.wikimedia.org
The fifth largest city in Germany, Frankfurt has a population of about 717,624 as of 2014. The city features strength in the commerce, culture, education, and tourism and web traffic industries. Tourist visits the place for its cultural and historical attractions like the Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt Motor show, and the Frankfurt Book Fair. The Messe Frankfurt is one of the largest trade fairs in the world with 578,000 square meters consisting of ten exhibition halls; the Frankfurt Motor Show is the world’s largest motor show; and the Frankfurt Book Fair is the largest book fair in the world. It plays a vital role in the education as it homes many major cultural and educational institutions such as the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, museums like the Städel and the Naturmuseum Senckenberg; it also houses the Germany’s largest botanical garden, the Palmengarten.
Germany’s financial capital, Frankfurt also plays a vital role in the world’s economy making it one of the most essential international financial hubs. In 2013, it ranked eighth at the International Centers Development Index and ninth at the Global Financial Center Index. In 2012, it ranked eleventh in the Global City Competitiveness Index and 23rd at the Global Cities Index. According to the study conducted by the Cushman and Wakefield, Frankfurt has been one of the three highest European cities for international companies next to London and Paris.
6. Düsseldorf, Germany (2010 Index: 107.2)
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The seventh most populated city in Germany, Dusseldorf is the hub for international business and finance, best known for its fashion and trade fairs. It homes some major companies as the Messe Dusseldorf arranges approximately one fifth of premier trade shows. It is known for its fine arts institute, its developing domination on electronic and experimental music, and its Japanese community. Since 2010, the sixth rank was maintained. It is also regarded as one of the top telecommunication hubs in Germany and the leading German mobile phone markets due to the two out of four huge German network providers of mobile frequencies like the D2 Vodafone and E-Plus.
There are various foreign trading centers such as the Ericson and Nokia, 18 internet service providers are also located in the city. It is headquarter of the two major airlines like the Eurowings and the LTU International. Ranking sixth since the 2010, Dusseldorf homes the popular shopping destination “Kö” (Königsallee) which means “King’s Avenue”.
5. Vancouver, Canada (2010 Index: 107.4)
Source and image: en.wikimedia.org
While Vancouver has the most populated city in North America, it is also one of the most ethnically diverse cities in Canada. Large companies and industries are located in the city which makes its economy boom throughout the years. Vancouver has been listed as in the top best liveable cities for five consecutive years already. Scenic locations in this city mark the major destinations of the tourists. The city’s marvellous cultural life and nature makes living in the city more exciting. For five consecutive years, the Economist Intelligence Unit also recognized the city as one of the world’s top five liveable cities for livability and quality of living.
The city has hosted many international events and conventions like the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, UN Habitat I, Expo 86, the 1989 and 2009 World Police and Fire Games, and many more. One of the nation’s largest industrial hub, it is also the center for forest products and mining companies, software development, biotechnology, aerospace, video game development, animation studios and television production, and film industry. It features strength on lifestyle and health culture that produces lifestyle-brands like the Kit and Ace, Lululemon, and many more.
4. Munich, Germany (Index: 107.0)
Source and image: en.wikimedia.org
The third largest city in Germany, Munich has a total population of about 1.5 million. From the Medieval/Middle High German term Munichen which means “by the mocks”, the city’s name is named from the monks of the Benedictine order that administered a monastery which later on became the Old Town of Munich. The home to several national and international authorities, major universities, museums, and theaters, Munich also boasts of many major tourist destinations, architectural attractions, international sports events and other conventions that make tourists visit the place. It is a major financial, publishing, and advanced technology center making it one of the most fast developing and most progressive cities in Germany.
Munich is also headquartering several corporations and insurance companies ranking as the top destinations for migration and expatriate location even if it has the highest population density of 4,500 residents per square kilometers in Germany. It has the strongest economy in Germany with the lowest unemployment rate. From the seventh place in 2010, it leaped to the fourth place in 2012, 2014 and 2015.
3. Auckland, New Zealand (2010 Index: 107.4)
Source and image: en.wikimedia.org
Auckland holds generally one third of the country’s integrated population with a number of 1.4 million people. However, it boasts of its modernity with an impressive development through the years. While the city is inhabited by different ethnic groups from all over the world, Auckland has also made its way to the country’s most cosmopolitan city. Due to its perfect gulf and sea location, Auckland was deemed to be the “City of Sails” due to its popularity of sailing. 36% of the country’s GDP was contributed by the Auckland region with an estimate of US$47.6 million way back in the year 2003. Auckland has been placed to the third rank in the Mercer’s Quality of Life Survey 2014, dropping to the 9th place in the EIU survey this year.
Most influential international companies are headquartered in Auckland making it the nation’s economic capital. Many financial and business services are situated in the most expensive office space along the Queen street and Viaduct Basin in the Auckland CBD. In 2005, the Auckland contributed the largest commercial center in the country which reflects about NZ$44,304 (approximately (US$33,000) based in the median personal income.
2. Zürich, Switzerland (2010 Index: 108.0)
Source and image: en.wikimedia.org
The largest city in Switzerland, Zurich is the center for railways, roads, and air traffic with both the Zurich Airport and railway station as the busiest and largest industries in Switzerland. In the 15 BC, the Romans called it Turicum until it permanently settled in year 2000. German is also the official language but the main dialect is the Alemannic Swiss German. Although the city’s population is comparatively low, it is among the leading and the world’s largest financial hubs. It homes numerous major financial and banking institutions. It is where most of the research and development centers are located.
Zurich features strength in the low tax rate offered by the companies that attracts visitors, investors and foreign companies. Plenty of museums and art galleries are seen in the city such as the Swiss National Museum, Kunsthaus, and one of the most essential theaters in the entire German-speaking world, the Schauspielhaus Zurich.
1. Vienna, Austria (2010 Index: 108.6)
Source and image: en.wikimedia.org
One of the wealthiest cities in the European Union, Vienna grossed an amount of 159% of the EU average incorporating 25.7% of Austria’s 2013 GDP. The capital and primary city of Austria, Vienna is a home to many major global organizations. According to UNESCO, constant stay in a coffee house with a newspaper on hands, pastry and a strong espresso beverage is a cultural Viennese pastime. The city offers a stunning classical and contemporary designs, arts and ornate geometry which make Vienna the second best cities to live in the world.
The largest and capital city of Austria, Vienna is known for its classical and contemporary music. It is a home of the renowned musicians like Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, and Mahler. On top of the list, Vienna maintained its top spot for six consecutive years as the best city with highest quality of living.
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