Mercer, a firm belonging to Marsh McLennan Group (NYSE: MMC), has published the 2024 Quality of Living city ranking. This ranking evaluates cities based on the practical aspects of daily life for expatriate employees and their families.
Zurich took first place in this year’s ranking, followed by Vienna and Geneva in second and third place, respectively. Copenhagen once again ranked fourth, with Auckland rounding out the top five.
As organizations increasingly rely on international employees to drive global business strategies, the quality of life in host cities becomes a crucial factor, directly influencing the allowances and compensation packages for these workers.
“In the face of extreme weather events, economic fluctuations, and other challenges, the rankings provide valuable insights for HR leaders in international organizations, enabling better management of the complexities of global mobility and improving the overall experience of their international workforce,” commented Yvonne Traber, Partner and Global Mobility Leader at Mercer.
Zurich topped the list thanks to its excellent public services, low crime rates, vibrant cultural scene, and commitment to sustainability. These factors, combined with the goal of improving air travel connections and increasing the number of flights to and from other continents in 2024, make it an ideal location for expatriates. However, it is worth noting that Zurich is also ranked among the most expensive cities in the world due to high housing, transportation, and service costs.
“In the era of digital nomads and flexible work, Mercer’s data shows that the most desirable destinations are those that combine high quality of life with affordable living costs. This poses a challenge for organizations and expatriate workers, who need to balance decisions regarding relocation, investments, and talent management,” Traber added.
City Rankings
In Europe, four Swiss cities made it to the top ten, with Bern (9th place) and Basel (10th place) joining Zurich and Geneva at the top of the ranking. Eight of the ten best cities are located in Western Europe, including Amsterdam (6th place) and Frankfurt (7th place), making this region the most attractive for international employees.
Vancouver (7th place) maintained its position as the highest-ranked city in North America, offering residents a unique blend of nature and urban lifestyle. Boston (32nd place) took the top spot in the United States this year, surpassing San Francisco thanks to its well-developed infrastructure and abundance of green spaces. Montevideo (92nd place) once again ranks as the highest-rated city in Latin America.
Auckland (5th place) retained its position as the best-rated city in the Pacific region. The city offers a high standard of living, healthcare, and a rich cultural scene. In Australia, Sydney, known for its iconic landmarks and thriving economy, ranked 12th.
Dubai (83rd place) and Abu Dhabi (85th place) in the United Arab Emirates topped the rankings in the Middle East. Both cities are known for their modern infrastructure and diverse international communities. Right behind them is Port Louis (88th place), the highest-rated city in Africa.
Singapore leads among Asian cities, ranking 30th overall, offering a clean, safe environment and advanced infrastructure.
2024 Quality of Living Ranking
| Rank | City | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
* Cities with the same rank received equal quality-of-life scores.
Eastern Europe
Cities in Eastern Europe rank lower compared to Western European and global leaders. Prague continues to be the highest-ranked city in the region, standing at 63rd place globally. At the other end of the spectrum are cities from the Balkans, such as Belgrade, Sofia, Skopje, Sarajevo, and Tirana (all around the middle of the second hundred). The lowest-ranked cities in this part of Europe are Minsk (192nd) and Kyiv (208th out of 241), which is understandable given the geopolitical situation.
“One might expect that uncertainty related to the ongoing war and its impact on neighboring countries would lower the quality-of-life scores in some Eastern European cities. However, cities like Prague (up 8 spots), Warsaw (up 6), Kraków (up 5), and Wrocław (up 7) are positively perceived in terms of living costs, economic growth, and quality of life. The risk of conflict escalation and its impact on business predictability is not seen as significantly detrimental by international organizations,” noted Małgorzata Ciarka, Mercer Career Business Leader for Central and Eastern Europe.
About the 2024 Quality of Living Ranking
The Mercer Quality of Living study evaluates living conditions in over 450 cities worldwide to help companies calculate fair and consistent allowances for expatriate employees. Living conditions are analyzed based on 39 factors divided into 10 categories: political and social environment, economic environment, socio-cultural environment, medical and health considerations, schools and education, public services and transportation, recreation, consumer goods, housing, and natural environment.
Data for the ranking is analyzed and updated annually to reflect changing circumstances. All indices use New York as the base city due to its popularity and attractiveness for expatriates and high scores across the 39 factors.
Source: CEO.com.pl
