Doha is Fourth Most Liveable City in MENA Region

Great news for Qatar residents! According to the Global Liveability Index 2024, Doha has been named the fourth most liveable city in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This index, put together by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) — the research arm of The Economist Group — evaluated 173 cities worldwide based on 30 indicators across five key categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.

Top Spots in MENA

Leading the MENA region is Abu Dhabi, scoring 81.7 points and ranking 76th globally. Following closely, Dubai earned 80.8 points, placing 78th in the world. Kuwait City came in third with a score of 74.6, ranking 93rd globally. Doha secured the fourth spot with 73.4 points, positioned at 106th worldwide, while Bahrain’s Manama rounded out the top five with a score of 72.2.

Doha’s Appeal

Doha’s ranking reflects its commitment to creating a safe, modern, and innovative environment. With one of the lowest crime rates globally, the city offers residents a secure place to call home. Its state-of-the-art metro system, stunning architecture, and continual focus on innovation make it a prime location for those seeking a high standard of living. Excellent medical and educational facilities further bolster Doha’s appeal as a top destination for settling down.

Global Liveability Insights

On a global scale, Vienna tops the list with an overall score of 98.4, receiving perfect scores in four out of five categories, except for culture and environment, where it scored 93.5 due to the absence of major sporting events. Following Vienna, Copenhagen scored 98, and Zurich achieved a score of 97.1.

At the bottom of the list, Syria’s Damascus remains the least liveable city with a score of 30.7, just below Tripoli, which scored 40.1.

Regional Standouts

Western Europe dominated the liveability rankings, excelling in four key categories. North America followed closely, leading the education category. The Asia-Pacific region saw slight improvements, while Eastern Europe experienced significant advancements, particularly in healthcare and education.

Looking Ahead

The report highlights a modest increase in the average liveability score to 76.1 across the 173 cities surveyed, indicating a slight enhancement in urban quality of life worldwide. The Gulf region, in particular, is making significant strides in social infrastructure and economic diversification. The World Bank predicts the region’s economic growth to strengthen to 2.8% in 2024 and 4.7% in 2025.

Doha’s climb in the Global Liveability Index is a testament to its continuous efforts to evolve and enhance the quality of life for its residents, making it an increasingly attractive destination for people from all walks of life.