The Global Livability Index 2023 has been ranked.

Three Canadian cities made it to the top 10 list: Vancouver (No. 5), Calgary (No. 7), and Toronto (No. 9).

EIU, the research division of a sister company of The Economist newspaper, considers several key factors when determining its rankings, including:

• Stability: The prevalence and threats of crime, conflict, and terror.
• Healthcare: Availability and Quality of Public and Private Health Care
• Culture and environment: climate livability, levels of corruption, social or religious restrictions, availability of sports, culture, food and beverage, and consumer goods and services.
• Education: The availability and quality of public and private education.
• Infrastructure:  Road quality, transportation options, housing, energy, water, and telecommunications.

Overall, the EIU found that the Livability Index has shown optimism amid global instability. As the world navigates the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare and education scores are improving in many cities in Asia and the Middle East and Africa. Despite civil unrest around the world, this is despite the fact that global scores for stability have declined since 2022.

The top 10 cities to live in are:

Top Three Cities in Canada

Three Canadian cities were in the top 10, with Vancouver ahead of Calgary and Toronto. Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto all scored a perfect 100 in the healthcare and education categories, but the other two groups fell behind in the categories. Calgary's worst score was in the culture category, while Toronto fell behind for points in infrastructure.

While all three cities score high in each category, it is noteworthy that all three received a full 100 in the categories of healthcare and education, reflecting the high-quality systems that Canada has in place to manage both of these areas of public life.

Let's dive into the top three cities in Canada.

Vancouver, British Columbia – 5th globally

The Pacific coastal city of Vancouver is a popular destination for newcomers to Canada for a variety of reasons.

Firstly, the city has a milder climate than most parts of Canada , allowing residents to escape Canada's harsh winters. Second, the city  is surrounded by natural attractions – mountains that offer skiing, hiking, and camping, and oceans that offer sailing, swimming, and beaches. Finally, Vancouver is very diverse, with more than 40 percent Of the city's population, first-generation immigrants are immigrants. This makes it a pleasant place for newcomers.

Vancouver is home to a range of different industries, with a vibrant tech sector, many roles in tourism and hospitality, heavy construction projects, and even an impressive film and television industry.

The actual city  has a population of about 630,000 people , but Metro Vancouver has a much larger population – close to 2.5 million people.

The availability of affordable housing is one of the biggest issues facing Vancouver. In recent years, property purchase and rental prices have reached the highest level in Canada. As of July 2022, the average rental price of a one-bedroom apartment in downtown Vancouver is $2,260  per month.

The affordability of housing and the cost of living are likely some of the factors that make Vancouver score lower than Calgary in the  EIU  score for infrastructure. Those who can afford the high rental costs can find a great lifestyle in Canada, but many newcomers looking for affordable expenses choose elsewhere.

 Calgary, Alberta – Ranked 7th globally

Calgary is the third most populous city in Canada, with a population of about 1.3 million people. It is the largest city in Canada's Prairie provinces, serving as an economic hub for the region.

Calgary's economy is diverse, supporting a wide range of industries. Perhaps the most notable is Calgary's energy sector. The province of Alberta is Canada's largest oil and natural gas producer, accounting for about 80% of Canada's total oil production. As such, most of Calgary's economy is tied to the energy sector.

Affordable housing is one of the main attractions for newcomers to Calgary. As of July 2022, renting a one-bedroom apartment in downtown Calgary is about  $1,372 CAD per month . That's about 40 percent cheaper than Vancouver, which costs an average of $2,260 for the same apartment.

The only factor in the  EIU  rankings where Calgary fell less than Vancouver and Toronto was related to the category of culture and environment. The city is bustling and offers a wide range of activities and cultural experiences, like  the world-famous Calgary , but the diversity of Calgary is less than that of Vancouver and Toronto. There is also incredible camping, hiking, and skiing in Calgary, just 90 minutes by car from the mountain The Rocky Mountains are far away.

Interested in learning more about Calgary? Check out our  Calgary City Guide.

Toronto, Ontario – 9th World Rank

Toronto is the most popular destination for newcomers to Canada. It is also the most populous city in Canada – with a population of nearly 3 million people in the real city and almost 6 million people in the Greater Toronto Area.

As Canada's largest city, Toronto serves as a hub for various industries. It  is Canada's financial center , home to some of the country's largest corporations and law firms,  has a great technology sector , and much more. Toronto has a reputation as a city for ambitious people looking to build a strong career.

But, it's not all sunshine and roses!

Like Vancouver, Toronto has one of the least expensive housing and rental markets in Canada. With skyrocketing rental prices and low vacancy rates, finding an apartment in Toronto can be challenging (and it's nearly impossible to find a cheap one!). As of July 2022, the average rental price for a one-bedroom apartment in downtown Toronto  is $2,118 per month,  which is slightly lower than in Vancouver.

For some people, the high cost of living in Toronto may be offset by the higher salaries offered by many companies operating in the city.

Those who can afford to live in Toronto can take advantage of the city's culture and attractions. Toronto's dream of a diner offers high-quality, affordable dining experiences. Each week, numerous festivals are  likely to take place, such as the Toronto International Film Festival ,  the Toronto Fringe Theatre Festival ,  the VELD Music Festival , and even the Toronto Beer Festival (Oh Yes).

Toronto is also Canada's most diverse city, with almost half of the city's population being first-generation immigrants.