Dubai, Kuwait in Top 100 most livable cities

Based on their improving living standards and welcoming nature, Dubai and Kuwait City have been ranked among the global top 100 most livable cities.

The global livability survey assesses different cities on the quality of its urban life, measuring aspects such as stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure. The survey has been primarily used by organizations to benchmark cities and determine the level of hardship allowance that would be paid to expatriates while on their foreign assignments.

The list, issued by The Economist Intelligence Unit, also named the two cities in the ranks of Top 10 biggest improving cities. Dubai has been ranked at the 77th position, achieving an improvement of 2.9 percent in the past five years. Kuwait followed at 81th rank with a 2.5 percent jump in its rating.

Most countries from the MENA region witnessed a drop in their rankings due to negative livability changes in the aftermath of Arab Spring. As a result of the Syrian conflict, Damascus fell to the bottom of the list at140th position. Over the past few years, Oman has also dropped 3.7 per cent to 88th rank.

For the third consecutive year, the Australian city of Melbourne topped the global ranking. The Austrian capital of Vienna was ranked second, while Vancouver placed third in the charts. Five cities in Australia and New Zealand featured among the Top 10 list. Three other positions in the top 10 were taken up by Canadian cities.

A recent survey of oil and gas professionals rated Dubai as the most desired location to work in the world. Another report, measuring risks that organizations may face in 138 cities with regards to recruitment, employment and relocation, also named Dubai as the best in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region for secured business and investment prospects.

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