Vancouver Overtakes Calgary as North America’s Most Livable City in 2025 — But Slips Globally
The Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2025 Global Liveability Index crowns Vancouver as the continent’s best, even as the city faces a housing crunch and global competition intensifies. Vancouver liveability 2025 highlights these challenges.
What Happened
In the latest Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Global Liveability Index, Vancouver liveability 2025 has officially taken the top spot in North America, overtaking Calgary. The city ranked 10th worldwide with a score of 95.8 out of 100, down from 5th place last year.
Calgary, which tied with Vancouver in 2024, saw a dramatic fall to 18th place, largely due to a sharp decline in its healthcare score. Globally, Copenhagen reclaimed the number one position with an impressive 98.0, pushing Vienna into second place. Zurich, Melbourne, and Osaka rounded out the top five.
The Global Shake-Up
The 2025 index, which evaluates 173 cities on stability, healthcare, culture, environment, education, and infrastructure, revealed notable shifts:
- Copenhagen rebounded thanks to improved cultural and environmental scores.
- Vienna dropped slightly, despite world-class healthcare, due to small declines in infrastructure satisfaction.
- Vancouver maintained strong marks in culture, education, and environment but lost points in housing affordability — a persistent Achilles’ heel.
(Related reading: Cost of Living Face-Off: Surrey vs. Abbotsford vs. Vancouver — Where Does Your Paycheck Go Furthest?) Vancouver liveability 2025 reflects these economic pressures.
Why Vancouver Rose in North America
Urban analysts point to Vancouver’s enduring strengths — mild climate, cultural diversity, robust education system, and public transport — as reasons it edged past Calgary.
“Even with the housing crisis, Vancouver’s comprehensive urban appeal outweighs its drawbacks in the North American context,” notes Dr. Laura Kim, an urban planning expert at UBC.
Calgary’s drop, meanwhile, is tied to challenges in healthcare delivery and staffing shortages — a trend observed in several Canadian cities post-pandemic.
The Housing Crisis Cloud
While Vancouver enjoys a reputation for livability, Vancouver liveability 2025 continues to be impacted by the city’s well-documented housing affordability issues, eroding its overall score. Median home prices remain among the highest in the world, with rental vacancy rates below 1%.
This creates a paradox: the city offers exceptional amenities, yet residents increasingly feel priced out of enjoying them.
Public Sentiment and Future Outlook
Local reaction is mixed. Many Vancouverites feel pride at the North American crown, while others see the global slip as a warning sign.
The EIU suggests that without addressing affordability, cities like Vancouver risk stagnating or declining in future rankings. Proposed solutions include:
- Incentivizing affordable housing developments
- Investing in healthcare capacity
- Maintaining green space and transit infrastructure
External examples, like Vienna’s subsidized housing model, could offer a roadmap for sustainability.
Closing Thoughts
Vancouver’s 2025 ranking is both a celebration and a cautionary tale. Vancouver liveability 2025 proves a city can excel on the global stage — but even world-class liveability is fragile when core needs like housing remain unmet. As urban competition heats up, the challenge for Vancouver will be turning its North American victory into a sustainable, inclusive future.
