Global Liveability Index: Highlights, Significance & More | UPSC Notes

The Global Liveability Index, an annual snapshot of the quality of life offered in hundreds of cities worldwide, is a powerful tool to assess and compare urban liveability across the globe. The Index, compiled by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), evaluates cities on parameters such as stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. 

In this article on Global Liveability Index, we will delve into the outcomes of the Global Liveability Index 2023, focusing particularly on India's performance and its multifaceted impact.

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What is Global Liveability Index?

The Global Liveability Index is an annual ranking published by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). It assesses the liveability of cities around the world based on various factors and indicators. The index provides a comparative analysis of living conditions in different cities, taking into account factors such as stability, healthcare, education, infrastructure, environment, and culture. The Global Liveability Index aims to assist individuals, businesses, and governments in making informed decisions regarding travel, relocation, and investment by providing a comprehensive evaluation of city living conditions.

Framework of Global Liveability Index

Before examining the 2023 Index, it's essential to understand the evaluation matrix of the Global Liveability Index. It uses over 30 qualitative and quantitative indicators spread across five broad categories:

• Stability: Assesses safety and security, looking at factors such as crime rates, social unrest, and military instability.
• Healthcare: Examines both the availability and quality of private and public healthcare, along with health indicators such as life expectancy.
• Culture and Environment: Evaluates the weather, social and cultural restrictions, and access to recreation.
• Education: Considers the quality and availability of private and public education.
• Infrastructure: Looks at the state of transport, utilities, housing, and other basic amenities.

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Key Highlights of Global Liveability Index 2024

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) released its Global Liveability Index 2024, ranking cities from best to worst in terms of stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.

Top 10 Most Liveable Cities

The cities topping the liveability index are known for their superior quality of life, excellent infrastructure, and cultural vibrancy.

• Vienna, Austria: The city managed to hold on to the first place for three consecutive years. Vienna's stability, healthcare, education, and infrastructure ranked the best.
• Copenhagen, Denmark: With one of the best health systems, education, and infrastructure, second place went to Copenhagen.
• Zurich, Switzerland: Zurich in Switzerland jumped from sixth to third place due to high living standards.
• Melbourne, Australia: Melbourne, Australia's entry, shines for its stability in the environment, excellent health care facilities, and infrastructure that is top-notch.
• Calgary, Canada: Also among the top five entries of the year 2006 in Calgary, Canada, is a very highly paid and lived standard city.
• Geneva, Switzerland: Another Swiss city is Geneva, with a ranking of sixth place in providing good living standards for citizens.
• Sydney, Australia: Australia's Sydney is known for its vibrant culture and beautiful beaches, which link to rank seventh.
• Vancouver, Canada: The Vancouver of Canada, not to mention its beautiful natural beauty, cited in ranking eighth position.
• Osaka, Japan: Osaka is a bustling metropolis of Japan that offers a high level of living.
• Auckland, New Zealand: New Zealand's Auckland is surrounded by stunning natural beauty and rounds out the top 10.

Key Trends and Observations

Some of the key observations of the Global Liveability Index 2024 include the following:

• Dominance of Western Europe: The index still shows that five out of the top 10 cities are in Western Europe.
• Asia-Pacific does well: As is observable, Melbourne, Sydney, Osaka, and Auckland tend to live in the rankings consistently enough.
• North American Cities: North America also places a few cities into the top 10, but overall performance has been dampened by factors such as housing affordability.
• Emerging Markets: While cities in emerging markets have embarked on a progressive trudge upwards, several challenges on liveability fronts-infrastructural development and political stability-remain strong.

Learn about the Index of Eight Core Industries here.

India's Performance in the Global Liveability Index 2024

India has taken a big leap forward in the Global Liveability Index 2024, and some of its cities make it to the top positions. Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru have seen upward movements in ranking for the last couple of years. Such upward ranking could be credited to factors such as:

• Infrastructure Development: Investment in transport, healthcare, and educational infrastructure has raised the bar of living standards in Indian cities.
• Economic Growth: Due to fast economic growth in India, better job opportunities and more jobs have been created.
• Social Reforms: Government efforts in addressing social issues of poverty, inequality, and health have paved the way for the society to walk towards equality.

However, many Indian cities continue to grapple with issues like traffic congestion, pollution, and high housing costs-all of which are essential repairs if India's liveability ranking is to get even better.

Learn about the Human Capital Index here.

Significance of the Global Liveability Index

The index allows for a comparative analysis of different cities based on various factors, helping individuals and organizations assess the quality of life and living conditions in different locations. The Global Liveability Index serves as a valuable tool for individuals, businesses, and policymakers in making decisions related to travel, relocation, and investment. It provides insights into the strengths and weaknesses of cities. The index can influence policymakers by highlighting areas of improvement and providing a benchmark for cities to strive for better liveability standards. It can drive policy reforms and development initiatives.

Cities with higher rankings in the index are more likely to attract investments and skilled professionals. The index helps businesses and individuals identify cities that offer favorable living conditions and opportunities. The index also serves as a reference for tourists and travelers seeking information on the livability and overall quality of cities they plan to visit. It can influence travel decisions and tourism patterns.

Conclusion

The Global Liveability Index 2023, while revealing some hard truths, also presents a roadmap for India's urban future. It underscores the need to balance rapid urbanization with improved living standards, investing in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and the environment. For India to climb the liveability ladder, systemic changes are necessary. By harnessing data from the Global Liveability Index and translating it into actionable policies, India can create cities that aren't just economic powerhouses, but also spaces that nurture the wellbeing of their residents.

The Global Liveability Index 2023 could be the blueprint India needs to navigate its urban journey in a world reeling from climate change, pandemics, and socio-political upheavals. It reminds us that the quality of life, the essence of a city, should never be overshadowed by the gleam of its skyscrapers.

Major Takeaways The Global Liveability Index assesses cities worldwide based on stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. It ranks cities according to parameters such as safety, healthcare quality, educational opportunities, public infrastructure, and environmental sustainability. Top-performing cities offer high standards of living, excellent healthcare facilities, efficient public services, and robust infrastructure. Regional disparities exist, with cities in developed countries often ranking higher than those in developing or conflict-affected regions. Cities affected by conflict, political instability, or economic crises tend to rank lower due to factors such as insecurity, poor healthcare access, and inadequate infrastructure. Cities with high liveability scores attract investment, businesses, and skilled professionals, contributing to economic growth and development. The index aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting sustainable urban development, inclusive growth, and environmental conservation.

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