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Yemen Online
a day ago
- Yemen Online
UAE ranked safest country in the world in 2025 mid-year review
The UAE has once again clinched the top spot in a ranking of safest countries in the world. According to the 'Safety Index by Country 2025 Mid-Year' by Numbeo, a crowd-sourced online database, the UAE logged 85.2 points. The UAE was followed by Andorra, Qatar, Taiwan and Macao (China), who rounded up the top 5 countries on the Safety Index. The UAE, home to more than 200 nationalities, is known for its quality of living and its safety and security. It had ranked second on Numbeo's the safety index in March 2025, while Andorra had topped that list. In the mid-year list, Andorra, a small country situated between France and Spain and known for its ski resorts, ranked second with 84.8 points on the Safety Index. Qatar ranked third with 84.6 points, followed by Taiwan and Macao. Saudi Arabia ranked 14 on the index, followed by Bahrain at 15. Kuwait ranked 38 and Jordan 54. Pakistan came in at 62, with the Philippines and India ranking close to each other, 66 and 67, respectively. The UK ranked 86 with 51.6 index points, while the US ranked 91 with 50.8 points. Last year, UAE's Abu Dhabi and Dubai remained top liveable cities in the Middle East and Africa, and improved their scores in health care and education, according to the Global Liveability Index of the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) for 2024. The index ranked Dubai closely behind in the second spot, highlighting its achieved progress in the same areas. According to the 'Crime and Safety Indexes'' provided by the Numbeo website, Abu Dhabi is considered one of the safest cities globally. The city ranked first globally on the Safety Index with a score of 88.2 points and had the lowest score on the Crime Index with 11.8 points. Meanwhile, Dubai ranked fifth on the list of the world's safest cities.
Business Insider
15-07-2025
- Health
- Business Insider
Nigeria, Zimbabwe rank among the world's 10 most difficult places to live
Nigeria and Zimbabwe have been ranked among the world's 10 most difficult places to live, according to a new global livability index that highlights the harsh realities of urban life in some of the world's most challenged cities. Nigeria and Zimbabwe rank among the world's most difficult places to live, according to the Global Livability Index The index evaluates cities using indicators in five categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. African cities face challenges such as economic pressures, insecurity, poor healthcare systems, and under-resourced education structures. The annual report, compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), measures cities based on stability, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and environment, key indicators that affect overall quality of life. The Global Livability Index evaluates cities based on over 30 indicators across five core categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. Stability measures crime levels, civil unrest, and the threat of conflict. Healthcare assesses the quality and availability of public and private services. Culture and environment consider factors like climate, recreational options, and personal freedoms. Education is judged by access to quality public and private schooling, while infrastructure focuses on roads, transport, housing, and global connectivity. These combined metrics provide a snapshot of how liveable a city is for its residents. African cities marred by economic challenges Most African nations are grappling with persistent economic pressures, insecurity, and strained public services. In many of these cities, ongoing political unrest, insecurity, limited access to quality healthcare, and under-resourced education systems contribute to poor livability scores. In Nigeria, cities like Lagos and Port Harcourt continue to suffer from overcrowding, inadequate healthcare systems, and rising crime rates, while Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, remains burdened by hyperinflation, aging infrastructure, and limited access to essential services. Algeria and Libya have also been named among the world's most difficult places to live, joining Nigeria and Zimbabwe in a ranking that highlights the pressures facing several African cities. For example, Tripoli in Libya continues to struggle with the effects of prolonged conflict and weakened institutions, while Algiers faces structural economic challenges and restrictions on civil liberties. These issues are compounded by inadequate infrastructure and housing conditions that fall short of global standards. The table below presents the ten most challenging cities to live in globally. Cities at the bottom of the liveability rankings are predominantly located in the Middle East and Africa, reflecting persistent instability, limited infrastructure, and constrained access to quality services. Rank Country City Index Stability 1 Venezuela Caracas 45 35 2 Ukraine Kyiv 44.5 40 3 Papua New Guinea Port Moresby 44 30 4 Zimbabwe Harare 44 40 5 Nigeria Lagos 43.5 30 6 Algeria Algiers 42.8 35 7 Pakistan Karachi 42.7 20 8 Bangladesh Dhaka 41.7 45 9 Libya Tripoli 40.1 30 10 Syria Damascus 30.7 20
Scottish Sun
15-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
World's most liveable cities revealed with the top spot just 100 minutes away… but it's bad news for the UK
Plus, a Sun reporter's take on Copenhagen - including fine dining PLACE TO BE World's most liveable cities revealed with the top spot just 100 minutes away… but it's bad news for the UK Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE world's most liveable cities have been announced with the top spot being snatched from Vienna for the first time in three years. The EIU's Global Livability Index 2025 has revealed Copenhagen in Denmark as the top city for livability, with an average score of 98 overall. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Copenhagen in Denmark has been named the most livable city for 2025 Credit: Alamy 4 It has taken over Vienna, Austria - which has claimed the top spot for the past three years Credit: Alamy The index assessed 173 cities across the globe with the average score being 76.1 out of 100. The annual study assesses multiple different things to do with daily livelihood such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, culture and environment and stability. And the Danish capital was previously in second place to Vienna, Austria - which has held the top spot for the past three years. But this year, Copenhagen scored a perfect 100 for stability, education and infrastructure. The only two categories Copenhagen lost a few points in were health (95.8) and culture and environment (95.4). Copenhagen is home to a wealth of things to see and do including historical sights, attractions and cultural experiences and it is only an hour-an-40-minutes flight from London. The colourful Nyhavn Harbour is a great place to explore, with many colourful buildings and a number of boat tours to see the area from a different angle. There is also Tivoli Gardens - a historic amusement park with rides, gardens and entertainment. If you like seeing famous tourist spots, you'll want to head to the Little Mermaid Statue, too, and grab a pic. In addition to these spots, there is also a castle to explore and Christiansborg Palace - a former royal residence which is now home to the Danish Parliament. Copenhagen has many hidden charms by champagne isn't one of them If heading to the city, make sure to hire a bike as Copenhagen is very cycle-friendly. There are lots of hidden gems in the city's districts too, with great local food spots and independent shops. However, the EIU's index also brings bad news for Brits, as all the cities covered from the UK (London, Manchester and Edinburgh) moved down the list. According to the report, this follows "widespread riots and rising homelessness". The UK capital moved down nine places, from 45th to 54th. Manchester ranked slightly higher than London in 52nd place, but still has fallen by nine places too. And the Scottish Capital fell five places from 59th to 64th, according to CNN. European cities dominated four out of the top five spots, with Vienna, Austria coming second and Zurich, Switzerland in third. In fourth place was one of three Australian cities to make the top 10: Melbourne. And Geneva, Switzerland followed in fifth place. 4 Copenhagen has lots to see and do, including the famous Little Mermaid sculpture Credit: Alamy The remaining five in the top 10 are all outside of Europe with Sydney, Australia in sixth; Osaka, Japan in seventh; Auckland, New Zealand in eighth; Adelaide, Australia in ninth and the Canadian city of Vancouver slipping into the tenth spot. Overall, the findings also suggested that there is a continued decline in global stability "driven by intensifying geopolitical conflict and civil unrest". Scores for healthcare, education and infrastructure all saw minor improvements on average. The Middle East and North Africa region saw the most significant gains overall. Fine dining and exploring beautiful Copenhagen THE Sun's Kirsty Spence visited Copenhagen - here's what she thought. You're never far from water here, so exploring by boat is a no-brainer. With Green Kayaks, you can borrow one in exchange for collecting litter as you go - so slide into one at La Banchina. This trendy bathing and sauna spot in Refshaleøen is also a great place to relax afterwards. Having worked up an appetite, I head to hidden-gem Kanalhuset to try the locals' fave, smørrebrød – AKA open sandwiches. Both the curried herring and the roast beef with hazelnuts, £8.75 each, are ridiculously tasty. It's traditional to pair them with alcoholic snaps, and they make their own with flavours such as brown butter, and rhubarb and vanilla, £5.80. Or for an even of 'social dining', head to at Gro Spiseri, Denmark's first rooftop farm, with sunset views – and 24 strangers. If you're into antiquities, Glyptotek – the collection of Carlsberg Brewery founder Carl Jacobsen – is worth a visit. It's a work of art in itself, with palm trees, paintings and Egyptian mummies. The world's happiest city in 2025 was also recently revealed, with a theme park that inspired Disney and new UK flights. Plus, Time Out has named its best cities in the world for 2025 and six in the UK make the list. The top 10 most liveable cities THESE are the top 10 most liveable cities across the globe, according to the EIU's index. Copenhagen, Denmark Vienna, Austria Zurich, Switzerland Melbourne, Australia Geneva, Switzerland Sydney, Australia Osaka, Japan Auckland, New Zealand Adelaide, Australia Vancouver, Canada
The Sun
15-07-2025
- The Sun
World's most liveable cities revealed with the top spot just 100 minutes away… but it's bad news for the UK
THE world's most liveable cities have been announced with the top spot being snatched from Vienna for the first time in three years. The EIU's Global Livability Index 2025 has revealed Copenhagen in Denmark as the top city for livability, with an average score of 98 overall. 4 4 The index assessed 173 cities across the globe with the average score being 76.1 out of 100. The annual study assesses multiple different things to do with daily livelihood such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, culture and environment and stability. And the Danish capital was previously in second place to Vienna, Austria - which has held the top spot for the past three years. But this year, Copenhagen scored a perfect 100 for stability, education and infrastructure. The only two categories Copenhagen lost a few points in were health (95.8) and culture and environment (95.4). Copenhagen is home to a wealth of things to see and do including historical sights, attractions and cultural experiences and it is only an hour-an-40-minutes flight from London. The colourful Nyhavn Harbour is a great place to explore, with many colourful buildings and a number of boat tours to see the area from a different angle. There is also Tivoli Gardens - a historic amusement park with rides, gardens and entertainment. If you like seeing famous tourist spots, you'll want to head to the Little Mermaid Statue, too, and grab a pic. In addition to these spots, there is also a castle to explore and Christiansborg Palace - a former royal residence which is now home to the Danish Parliament. If heading to the city, make sure to hire a bike as Copenhagen is very cycle-friendly. There are lots of hidden gems in the city's districts too, with great local food spots and independent shops. However, the EIU's index also brings bad news for Brits, as all the cities covered from the UK (London, Manchester and Edinburgh) moved down the list. According to the report, this follows "widespread riots and rising homelessness". The UK capital moved down nine places, from 45th to 54th. Manchester ranked slightly higher than London in 52nd place, but still has fallen by nine places too. And the Scottish Capital fell five places from 59th to 64th, according to CNN. European cities dominated four out of the top five spots, with Vienna, Austria coming second and Zurich, Switzerland in third. In fourth place was one of three Australian cities to make the top 10: Melbourne. And Geneva, Switzerland followed in fifth place. 4 The remaining five in the top 10 are all outside of Europe with Sydney, Australia in sixth; Osaka, Japan in seventh; Auckland, New Zealand in eighth; Adelaide, Australia in ninth and the Canadian city of Vancouver slipping into the tenth spot. Overall, the findings also suggested that there is a continued decline in global stability "driven by intensifying geopolitical conflict and civil unrest". Scores for healthcare, education and infrastructure all saw minor improvements on average. The Middle East and North Africa region saw the most significant gains overall. Fine dining and exploring beautiful Copenhagen THE Sun's Kirsty Spence visited Copenhagen - here's what she thought. You're never far from water here, so exploring by boat is a no-brainer. With Green Kayaks, you can borrow one in exchange for collecting litter as you go - so slide into one at La Banchina. This trendy bathing and sauna spot in Refshaleøen is also a great place to relax afterwards. Having worked up an appetite, I head to hidden-gem Kanalhuset to try the locals' fave, smørrebrød – AKA open sandwiches. Both the curried herring and the roast beef with hazelnuts, £8.75 each, are ridiculously tasty. It's traditional to pair them with alcoholic snaps, and they make their own with flavours such as brown butter, and rhubarb and vanilla, £5.80. Or for an even of 'social dining', head to at Gro Spiseri, Denmark's first rooftop farm, with sunset views – and 24 strangers. If you're into antiquities, Glyptotek – the collection of Carlsberg Brewery founder Carl Jacobsen – is worth a visit. It's a work of art in itself, with palm trees, paintings and Egyptian mummies. The world's happiest city in 2025 was also recently revealed, with a theme park that inspired Disney and new UK flights. Plus, Time Out has named its best cities in the world for 2025 and six in the UK make the list.
BBC News
14-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- BBC News
The world's most liveable cities for 2025 – and what it's really like to live there
While Vienna has topped the Global Liveability Index for years, 2025 crowned a new number one. From Copenhagen to Melbourne, we asked locals what it's actually like to reside in these famously liveable cities. The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has long ranked cities around the globe, offering a data-backed snapshot of where life is most comfortable and secure. The world's top-ranked cities have been remarkably consistent over the past few years. But in 2025, one major shift jolted the rankings: for the first time in three years, Vienna was dethroned. Copenhagen rose to the top thanks to perfect scores in stability, education and infrastructure – a tough trifecta to beat. However, the biggest shake-ups in 2025 weren't just about rising or falling scores – they were about safety, with geopolitical tensions rising worldwide. Vienna, in particular, suffered from a bomb threat that cancelled the 2024 Taylor Swift concert as well as a recently planned attack on a train station. Still, cities in Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Canada continue to fare well in the rankings, with Osaka the only Asian city cracking the top 10. So, what's it really like to call one of these places home? We asked locals from five of this year's top-ranked cities to find out. Copenhagen Taking the top spot in the liveability index, the Danish capital also recently ranked as the world's happiest city. The two go hand in hand, as Copenhagen's high stability, infrastructure and environment scores directly translate into daily happiness for residents. "Trains show up at 12:16 when they are scheduled for 12:16. No one blinks if you turn up in sneakers at a fancy restaurant, and a swim in a clean harbour is possible even in January if you are feeling brave," said Copenhagen resident Thomas Franklin, CEO of fintech company "Copenhagen wins me over every time with its calmness. Streets are wide, bikes outnumber cars and the city runs on common sense." Franklin also appreciates the city's community spirit and a lack of pressure that means you can meet a friend by the water with no planning and have coffee for two hours. While the skies might often be grey, he says the city is brightened by open-air markets, public saunas and the sound of kids running in the park. "It is a city that never tries too hard but always delivers," he said. American journalist Olivia Liveng moved here eight years ago and says that raising a child here has been "an unexpectedly wonderful experience" due to the city's family-friendly nature. "Our 2.5-year-old son attends a highly subsidised daycare that costs us about US$600 per month, covering everything," she said. "You can truly see where your tax money goes." A good work-life balance also benefits families, with many companies encouraging employees to take three weeks off in July. In addition, Liveng finds the infrastructure to be thoughtfully designed. "There are elevators in all metro stations, clean and reliable public transport and stroller-friendly buses," she said, contrasting it to a recent visit to New York, where a lack of lifts meant navigating the subway with a pushchair was a challenge. For a dose of local hygge, Liveng recommends a swim at Sandkaj Harbour Bath in the Nordhavn district. "It's a favourite spot to dip and lay in the Sun, especially during the warmer months," she said. For a winter visit, Franklin suggests the Islands Brygge harbour baths. "Grab a hot chocolate, sit at the water's edge and just watch Copenhagen drift by," he said. "The small rituals here are what stick with you." Vienna The Austrian capital may have slipped from first to second place in the index, but its perfect healthcare score still outranks every other city. It also maintains perfect scores in both education and infrastructure. The result is a place that residents rave about. "I'm a native New Yorker who moved to Vienna for the lifestyle about four years ago and have no plans on returning," said Nataleigh O'Connell, a communications consultant at UNIDO. "I've found a quality of life that I didn't think was possible in a major capital city." She points to affordability as a major draw, noting that rent is extremely reasonable, with a city-centre one-bedroom flat costing less than €850 per month. Vienna's extensive public transportation network is also clean and affordable, priced at just €1 a day for city residents. "It's a city that offers enough of everything, whether it be new restaurants, world-class performances or art exhibitions, without ever feeling overwhelming," said O'Connell. To experience Vienna like a local, she recommends visiting heurigen, local vineyards within the city limits. "The hiking trails that connect them offer spectacular views of the city," she said. Geneva Switzerland consistently ranks high for quality of life, thanks to policy and infrastructure that support well-being. Both Zurich and Geneva made the top five this year, but Geneva residents say their city has a different feel – more compact, more relaxed but with all the benefits of a global hub. "Geneva is a well-run city in a well-run country," said resident James F Royal, who moved here from Florida several years ago and is the author of the book Options Trading 101. "It offers many of the benefits of the big city – music, arts, business – in a cosier environment, meaning you get many advantages of urban life without the usual disadvantages." More like this:• The world's five happiest cities for 2025• The Danish city that's been designed for an easy life• Why Minneapolis is one of the world's happiest places With perfect healthcare and infrastructure scores, the city is also clean, safe and easy to navigate. "Whether you want to walk to your destination or use the dense public transportation system, you can get around easily with no car required," Royal said. In addition, Switzerland's reliable train network and central location make it easy to travel almost anywhere in Europe in just a few hours. Geneva is also one of Switzerland's most diverse cities, with more than 40% of residents born abroad. "Inhabitants get the benefits of that diversity, such as a wide range of cuisines and people with interesting backgrounds," Royal said. The city's natural beauty – especially the crescent-shaped Lake Geneva and its mountain backdrop – also add to the appeal of daily life. The lake has plenty of spots to picnic and sunbathe, with La Grange Park offering unique lake views and expansive rose gardens. Royal recommends visitors enjoy the restaurants and pop-up bars that appear during the summer months, and the Christmas markets in the winter. Melbourne Ranked fourth in the index, Melbourne received perfect marks in healthcare and education. But its high scores in culture and environment are what inched it above other Australian cities – including Sydney and Adelaide, which also cracked the top 10. Melbourne also scored well on infrastructure – and lawyer Oliver Morrisey says he chose to base his practice here due to an overall efficiency he rarely finds in other major cities. "I can walk from the Supreme Court to a client meeting near Collins Street in under 15 minutes; and I can work intensely during the day then take my daughter for a walk through Fitzroy Gardens after school," he said. "That is what liveability means to me. It is not just about lifestyle. It is about ease of movement between the parts of life that matter." Even for those outside the city centre, Melbourne's transportation network makes getting around simple. "The transport system connects the inner and outer suburbs for an easy commute within 50 minutes without segregating suburbs," said Melbourne resident Katherine Tuominen, founder of Catalyst Brand Strategy, who has lived in 10 cities around the world but finds Melbourne the most liveable. She also loves Melbourne's multicultural energy, which brings together people from all walks of life and fuels a vibrant mix of activities, events and cuisines. "It's never boring, and there are always new ways to broaden your perspective and try something different," she said. She recommends visitors wander the city's graffiti-lined laneways or explore speakeasy-style bars like Beneath Driver Lane and Miss Gunn's Basement Bar. Morrisey suggests lunch on Lygon Street, widely considered the birthplace of the city's cafe culture. "Eat slow, talk loud and take your time," he said. "That is the real Melbourne." Osaka The only Asian city to make the top 10 (ranked seventh overall), Osaka scored perfect marks in stability, healthcare and education. And while it's often overshadowed by flashier Tokyo, Osaka's under-the-radar vibe is exactly what residents love about living here. "Osaka is a very well-developed, very cool city," said long-time resident Graham Hill who runs the review website Osaka City. "It is to Japan what San Francisco might be to the United States: a smaller city, but with a unique flavour of its own." The city's reliable infrastructure – including a clean, punctual and wide-reaching transit system – make Osaka easy to live in, without the crowds of Tokyo. Hill says it's simpler to get reservations at top-tier places, and the prices are much better as well. Dominic Dijkstra, director of mixology at the newly opened Waldorf Astoria Osaka, agrees: "Whether it's a quick bowl of ramen after work or a beautifully crafted kaiseki dinner, you're never far from an amazing meal." Dijkstra learned his craft in Manchester, England, and says that Osaka has a similar kind and unpretentious vibe. "People are proud of their culture and are always ready to share it with you," he said. "Osaka has a warmth and humour in everyday life that makes it feel liveable beyond convenience. People chat to you in shops, joke with you at the bar and make the city feel like home." While Osaka has major tourist attractions like the historic Osaka Castle, Hill recommends visitors seek out everyday Osaka pleasures. "Hanging out at Streamer Coffee Company in Shinsaibashi is a first-class 'cool' urban experience to rival any city," he said. "Grabbing something to eat from Utsubo Bakery Panena and sitting down in Utsubo Park delivers some of the simple pleasures available to an Osaka local." Dijkstra recommends heading to Kyobashi train hub to find the city's true soul, noting that the string of tiny bars just outside the station is always full of friendly Osakans at any time of day. "Grab a beer or a highball and squeeze in next to the locals," he said. "You'll get an authentic glimpse into why this city is so special." -- For more Travel stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
