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Liveability Index 2025 Decoded: Reports, Indices, and Smart Cities Mission & UPSC Insights

The 2025 Global Liveability Index offers critical insights into urban sustainability and quality of life—a vital topic for UPSC aspirants. Understanding its methodology and findings strengthens answers on governance, urban development, and international reports.

Why This Index Matters for Exams
Reports like the Global Liveability Index (EIU) are UPSC favourites—testing analytical skills on urban governance, sustainability, and global rankings. With questions previously asked on the Competitiveness Report (2019) and Water Development Report (2023), mastering such indices is non-negotiable.

Key Highlights: Global Liveability Index 2025
Released by: Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
Scope: 173 cities rated across 30 indicators.
Core Parameters:
Stability (Geopolitical risks, civil unrest)
Healthcare (Accessibility, quality)
Culture & Environment (Tolerance, climate)
Education (Public/private quality)
Infrastructure (Transport, housing, energy)

2025’s Major Shifts:
Copenhagen (#1) dethroned Vienna after 3 years—scoring 100 in Stability, Education, and Infrastructure.
Stability Declined Globally (-0.2 avg.) due to terror threats (Vienna), conflict zones (Damascus, Tripoli), and tensions in Tehran/Taiwan/India.
Top 10 Dominance: Western Europe (6/10), Asia-Pacific (3/10), and Canada (Vancouver).
Least Liveable: Damascus (30.7), Tripoli, Dhaka, and Karachi.
India’s Context: Stability scores dipped amid regional tensions—linking to Smart Cities Mission delays (see below).
Critical Insight: While education/healthcare/infrastructure improved globally, rising conflicts and housing crises dragged stability scores down.
Smart Cities Mission: India’s Liveability Push
Goal: Transform 100 cities through retrofitting, redevelopment, and greenfield projects.
Deadline Extensions: Originally 2021-2023 → pushed to June 2024 → now March 2025.
Pan-City Solutions: IoT-driven infrastructure for traffic, waste, and water management.

Sample Q&A for Exam Prep
Q: Which agency releases the Global Liveability Index?
A: Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
Q: Why did Vienna lose its top rank in 2025?
A: Terror threats reduced its stability score, though it retained perfect healthcare/education scores.
Q: Name two Asian cities in the Top 10 liveable cities (2025).
A: Osaka (Japan) and Auckland (New Zealand).
Q: How does the Smart Cities Mission address liveability in India?
A: Through area-based development (retrofitting/redevelopment) and pan-city tech solutions.
Q: What caused the global decline in stability scores?
A: Geopolitical conflicts, civil unrest, and housing crises.