A new global livability index has identified ten cities where residents face extraordinary daily challenges, from war and economic collapse to systemic infrastructure failures. The study evaluated stability, healthcare, education, and environmental factors across 172 urban centers.
- Caracas, Venezuela
With hyperinflation rendering currency worthless and violent crime endemic, Venezuela’s capital tops the list. Residents queue for hours for basic goods while facing routine power outages. - Kyiv, Ukraine
Despite remarkable resilience, Ukraine’s capital remains a warzone with daily missile threats and energy rationing. The city’s stability score (40/100) reflects its ongoing defense against Russian invasion. - Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Gang violence and absent public services plague this Pacific city, where 60% of residents lack clean water access according to UN data. - Harare, Zimbabwe
Chronic economic mismanagement has left Zimbabwe’s capital with 80% unemployment and daily 18-hour power cuts, forcing reliance on informal markets. - Lagos, Nigeria
Africa’s largest megacity (24M population) grapples with systemic urban failure – from perpetual gridlock to rising kidnappings. Yet its entrepreneurial spirit keeps the economy afloat. - Algiers, Algeria
Political stagnation and 30% youth unemployment fuel discontent beneath the city’s Mediterranean façade. Recent protests have been met with internet blackouts. - Karachi, Pakistan
Pakistan’s financial hub battles terrorism and climate disasters simultaneously. Last year’s floods displaced 2 million in the metropolitan area. - Dhaka, Bangladesh
The world’s most densely populated city (30,000/sq km) struggles with toxic air pollution and monsoon flooding that submerges slums annually. - Tripoli, Libya
A decade after Gaddafi’s fall, warlords control neighborhoods while 70% of infrastructure remains damaged. Daily electricity averages just 4 hours. - Damascus, Syria
After 14 years of war, Syria’s capital shows faint signs of recovery but lacks basic utilities. 90% of residents live below the poverty line.
Methodology Note: The index combines World Bank data, UN security assessments, and on-ground surveys. European and Asian cities dominated the top livability rankings, with Vienna retaining its top position.
