On This Page, You Will Find:
- How Canadian cities performed in the 2025 Global Liveability Index
- Why Vancouver remains in the global top ten
- What contributed to Calgary’s drop in ranking
- How Montreal and Toronto compare to other top cities
- How the Global Liveability Index is calculated
Canada continues to rank among the top destinations in the world for quality of life, based on the 2025 edition of the Global Liveability Index published by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). Of the four Canadian cities surveyed – Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and Calgary – three remain in the global top 20, with Vancouver once again securing a spot in the top 10.
For prospective immigrants, these rankings confirm what many already suspect: Canada remains one of the best countries to settle in, offering safety, strong public services, and a high standard of living across its major urban centres.
Vancouver: Canada’s Liveability Leader
Vancouver ranked 10th out of 173 cities surveyed worldwide, maintaining its position in the top tier. The city received perfect scores for infrastructure and high marks in healthcare, education and stability. Its natural beauty, mild climate and diverse, inclusive society make it a perennial favourite for immigrants.
Despite challenges facing many Canadian cities – such as rising housing costs and healthcare pressures – Vancouver’s balanced environment, high-quality education system and public transit infrastructure remain world-class. For new immigrants, the city continues to be a reliable choice for building a stable and fulfilling life.
Montreal and Toronto Hold Strong
Montreal climbed four spots to rank 19th globally. This improvement reflects gradual gains in infrastructure and cultural accessibility, alongside steady performance in healthcare and education. As a bilingual city with a strong French-speaking population, Montreal is especially attractive to Francophone immigrants seeking a culturally rich and affordable urban lifestyle.
Toronto fell slightly from 12th to 16th place but remains one of the highest-ranked cities in North America. Its dip was primarily due to strain on the healthcare system, a common issue across the country this year. Even so, Toronto’s infrastructure, multiculturalism, job opportunities and access to public education continue to make it one of the most attractive places in the world to live and work.
Calgary’s Drop Explained
The biggest shift among Canadian cities came from Calgary, which fell from 5th place in 2024 to 18th in 2025. According to the EIU, this drop was largely due to a decline in healthcare scores, linked to increasing strain on Canada’s decentralised national health system.
While the drop in ranking may seem significant, Calgary continues to perform strongly in other areas such as infrastructure, education and stability. Its clean environment, safety, and family-friendly neighbourhoods make it an excellent choice for immigrants – especially those looking for opportunities in Alberta’s growing energy, agriculture and tech sectors.
Rather than signalling an overall deterioration, the fall reflects the Index’s year-to-year recalibrations and increased competition from other rising global cities, particularly in Asia and the Middle East.
Why Canadian Cities Still Rank High
Despite healthcare-related score reductions, Canada’s cities remain highly liveable by global standards. Each of the Canadian cities included in the survey scored above 90 overall, which places them well into the “ideal” bracket on the EIU’s liveability scale.
This is because Canada continues to offer:
- Strong public education systems
- Reliable infrastructure and public transit
- High levels of personal safety and political stability
- Accessible healthcare
- Multicultural and inclusive communities
For newcomers, this means that Canada remains one of the best countries to live, work and raise a family.
How the Global Liveability Index Works
The Global Liveability Index evaluates 173 cities annually based on over 30 factors, grouped into five key categories:
- Stability (25%) – This includes crime rates, threat of conflict or terrorism, and civil unrest.
- Healthcare (20%) – The availability and quality of public and private healthcare.
- Culture and Environment (25%) – Access to cultural activities, climate comfort, and availability of goods and services.
- Education (10%) – Quality and availability of both public and private education.
- Infrastructure (20%) – Quality of roads, public transit, energy, housing and telecommunications.
Each factor is rated by EIU analysts based on both qualitative judgment and quantitative data. Cities receive scores out of 100 for each category, which are then combined into an overall score.
Scores from 80 to 100 indicate minimal challenges to liveability, while cities scoring under 60 are considered significantly constrained. All four Canadian cities remain in the upper echelon of the index, scoring between 93.8 and 94.9.
What This Means for Immigrants
For individuals and families considering a move to Canada, these rankings offer important context. While no city is without its challenges, Canadian cities continue to offer some of the most liveable environments in the world – with accessible healthcare, excellent education, and welcoming multicultural communities.
Whether you’re drawn to Vancouver’s West Coast lifestyle, Toronto’s economic dynamism, Montreal’s cultural blend, or Calgary’s family-friendly suburbs, Canada offers diverse options for every type of newcomer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Canadian city ranked highest in the 2025 Global Liveability Index?
Vancouver ranked 10th overall, making it the highest-ranking Canadian city. It scored especially well for infrastructure, education, and overall quality of life.
Why did Calgary drop so much in the rankings this year?
Calgary fell from 5th to 18th due to a lower score in healthcare, reflecting strain in the healthcare system. Other categories like infrastructure and education remained strong.
Are Canadian cities still good places for immigrants to settle?
Yes. Despite healthcare pressures, Canadian cities offer safe, stable and inclusive environments with strong public services – ideal for newcomers and families.
What factors go into calculating the Global Liveability Index?
Cities are assessed across five categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. Each city receives a score out of 100.
Do year-to-year ranking changes mean a city has declined significantly?
Not always. A change in ranking can reflect small shifts in one area or improvements by other cities. All Canadian cities surveyed still score above 90.
