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Karachi Ranked Among World’s Least Liveable Cities Yet Again: The Economist Survey
Karachi ranked 170 out of 173 in The Economist’s Global Liveability Index—just above Damascus, Dhaka & Tripoli. City scores 42.7/100 due to poor stability, infrastructure & healthcare.
ND
by News Desk
2025-06-17
Karachi Ranked Among World’s Least Liveable Cities Yet Again: The Economist Survey

Karachi has once again been ranked among the least liveable cities in the world, according to the 2025 Global Liveability Index released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

Out of 173 cities surveyed, Karachi placed 170th, scoring just 42.7 out of 100 — making it one of the bottom five, faring slightly better than Tripoli, Damascus, and Dhaka. It is the only Pakistani city included in the rankings.

The top spots were claimed by Copenhagen (98), Vienna and Zurich (97.1), followed by Melbourne (97.0) and Geneva (96.8), reflecting their high standards in healthcare, education, stability, and infrastructure.

The annual report evaluates cities based on five key categories:

·       Healthcare

·       Education

·       Culture and Environment

·       Infrastructure

·       Stability

In recent years, Karachi has consistently struggled in these areas. The city ranked 169 in the previous index, and last year was compared unfavorably to Lagos, Algiers, Tripoli, and Damascus.

🇵🇰 Pakistan’s Urban Struggles

Last October, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) warned of declining liveability in Pakistan’s urban centers, citing inefficiencies, congestion, and severe socio-economic divides.

According to the ADB, Karachi’s elite are increasingly concentrated in cantonment and private housing societies, while lower-income communities have been pushed to overcrowded districts like Karachi East. These stark divisions have intensified social fragmentation along ethnic and religious lines, contributing to sporadic outbreaks of violence.

🚨 Tourist and Security Concerns

In July 2024, Forbes Adviser ranked Karachi as the second riskiest city in the world for tourists, scoring 93.12 out of 100 on its danger scale. The city had the highest personal security risk, encompassing crime, terrorism, natural disasters, and economic instability. It also ranked fourth-worst globally for infrastructure safety.

The US State Department has issued a Level 3 travel advisory for Karachi—urging travelers to reconsider travel due to security risks.

 
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