The 2025 Global Liveability Index paints a sobering picture of urban hardship, with Damascus once again ranked as the world’s least livable city. Despite a political shift in Syria last year, the capital remains deeply scarred by over a decade of civil war. Crumbling infrastructure, limited access to healthcare, and widespread insecurity continue to define daily life, leaving residents with little hope for swift recovery.
Joining Damascus at the bottom are cities like Tripoli, Dhaka, Karachi, and Lagos, each facing a unique blend of challenges — from political instability and economic collapse to overcrowding and failing public services. In Kyiv, the ongoing war with Russia has severely impacted infrastructure and safety, while Caracas continues to grapple with power outages, poor healthcare, and high crime rates.
These rankings, based on factors such as stability, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and environment, highlight the stark global disparities in urban quality of life. While some cities boast innovation and resilience, others remain trapped in cycles of conflict, mismanagement, and neglect.
The 2025 index serves as a powerful reminder: livability isn’t just about luxury or convenience — it’s about access, safety, and dignity. And for millions across these cities, those remain painfully out of reach.
