India’s leading cities ranked among the lowest globally for quality of life in Oxford Economics’ Global Cities Index 2026, which evaluated 1,000 cities worldwide. None of India’s top 10 overall cities placed within the top 500 for quality of life, highlighting significant challenges despite stronger economic and human capital scores, according to livemint.com.
The index ranked Canberra, Australia highest for quality of life, followed by Bergen in Norway and Singapore in third place. Other top cities included Grenoble, Bern, Oslo, Luxembourg City, Dresden, Ghent, and Paris. In contrast, Singapore led the South Asia region, while Kuala Lumpur and Malacca ranked 283rd and 321st globally, respectively. New York topped the overall global rankings, with London and Paris following, while London led in human capital and New York in economics.
India’s cities’ weaker quality-of-life rankings stand out against their economic and human capital strengths, which helped improve their overall positions in the index. The disparity underscores ongoing urban challenges in India, such as infrastructure, environment, and living conditions, that affect residents’ well-being. The rankings also reflect broader regional trends, with Southeast Asian cities like Singapore and Kuala Lumpur performing better in quality-of-life metrics.
The Oxford Economics Global Cities Index 2026, covering 1,000 cities worldwide, provides a comprehensive assessment of urban performance across multiple dimensions, including quality of life, economics, and human capital. The full rankings were published this week, offering detailed insights into global urban competitiveness and livability.
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