More surprising is that several European cities were among the biggest decliners in global rankings. This has more to do with improvements elsewhere than with problems in Europe. Edinburgh dropped by 23 places in the global pecking order, more than any other city. But its index score declined by less than one point. The rankings of other British cities, including Manchester and London, also declined (see chart). Life in London, which fell by 12 places globally, actually got better. But the scores of non-European cities ranked just below it improved by more.
In a handful of cases, though, European cities have become worse to live in. Stability scores, which track crime and civil unrest, deteriorated in some cities. Riots last year in Stockholm, sparked by plans by a far-right group to burn copies of the Koran, helped push Sweden’s capital down by 22 places in EIU’s rankings, the second-largest fall globally. (Similar events have unfolded this year, too.) Stability scores also fell in Athens, which experienced civil unrest and strikes in protest against high inflation. Instability, in the form of the war waged on Ukraine by Russia, has unsurprisingly left Kyiv at the bottom of the European ranking.
This summer’s forest fires and heatwaves, which have made parts of southern Europe seem hellish rather than paradisiacal. It’s possible that will affect next year’s liveability scores. But, according to EIU, the continent remains the most liveable part of the world.■
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