Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been ranked as the most livable cities in the Middle East and North Africa region, according to a new report.
The report, from The Economist, ranked cities according to their stability (security), healthcare, culture and environment, education, and public infrastructure like road networks, public transport, energy and water provisioning.
According to the ratings, the UAE’s two biggest cities were the most desirable, livable places to reside in the entire Middle East and North Africa region. More than 140 cities were assessed in total, which saw Dubai rank 70th overall for livability.
Top of the list came Austria’s Vienna, with a rating of 99.1 out of 100. It also happened to be one of just two European cities in the top ten, alongside Copenhagen in ninth place. Australia has three entries in the top ten, with Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide in second, third and tenth respectively. Three Canadian cities rank fifth to seventh (Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto), and Japanese cities Osaka and Tokyo complete the ten, in fourth and joint-seventh respectively.
The news follows a Mastercard report earlier this month which put Dubai as the world’s fourth-most visited city in the world, with 15.93 million international, overnight visitors landing in the city over the last 12 months.
Abu Dhabi was ranked as the fastest-growing international destination in the list, and it’s no wonder given the capital is home to some absolutely massive international events nowadays, including most recently the Nikelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, the UFC, and of course the annual Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Don’t be surprised to see both cities leap up the livability index next year.
