According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) report “World Migration Report 2024,” there are approximately 281 million international migrants worldwide. The proportion of immigrants in the global population is also increasing, currently standing at 3.6%, meaning that every 30 people, one is an international migrant. A recent report shows that in the world’s most suitable cities for foreign residents, Europe dominates the list.
Global consulting firm Mercer’s latest Quality of Living report ranks global cities based on their attractiveness to foreign residents. Zurich in Switzerland tops the list, followed by Vienna and Geneva, with up to eight picturesque European cities in the top ten.
Zurich is praised for its “excellent public services, low crime rate, vibrant cultural atmosphere, and commitment to sustainable development.” However, living costs in Zurich are high.
Vienna ranks second in the report and topped The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) 2023 Global Liveability Index. The city boasts infrastructure, culture, entertainment, robust healthcare, and education services.
The only North American city in the top ten is Vancouver, Canada, ranking seventh.
Los Angeles is the fastest-rising city, climbing 26 spots to rank 44th, attributed to improvements in crime rates, air quality, and internet access scores.
Boston is the highest-ranking U.S. city at 32nd, with New York at 45th.
London rises five spots to 40th, while Edinburgh and Glasgow rank 50th and 53rd, respectively.
Sydney drops three spots to 12th, leading over Melbourne at 20th and Canberra at 29th.
The bottom-ranking cities are Khartoum in Sudan and the Iraqi capital Baghdad.
Mercer analyzed living conditions in over 450 cities worldwide, studying 39 factors, including climate, disease and health standards, physical remoteness, communication convenience, political and social environments, violence and crime, education, entertainment, and housing.
The report aims to compare the quality of life for expatriate workers worldwide. The study examines living conditions and costs in global cities to help multinational corporations and governments understand how much remuneration foreign workers should receive.
“In the era of digital nomads and flexible work, Mercer’s data shows that the most ideal destinations are cities that combine high-quality living with affordable living costs,” said Yvonne Traber, Mercer’s Global Mobility Leader. “This poses a challenge for organizations and international assignees as they need to make balanced decisions in relocation, investment, and talent management.”
While U.S. cities did not make the top ten, according to the IOM report, in the macro picture of global immigration, the United States holds the throne as the world’s largest immigrant-receiving country due to its massive immigrant population size. Specific data reveals that the U.S. has a whopping 51 million immigrants, far exceeding second-placed Germany, highlighting America’s significant advantage in attracting global talent and labor force.
Here are the top 10 cities with the best quality of life (cities with the same ranking have the same total score):
1. Zurich, Switzerland
2. Vienna, Austria
3. Geneva, Switzerland
4. Copenhagen, Denmark
5. Auckland, New Zealand
6. Amsterdam, Netherlands
7. Frankfurt, Germany
7. Vancouver, Canada
9. Bern, Switzerland
10. Basel, Switzerland