European cities dominate the top of the ranking
Vienna scores highest for overall quality of living, Baghdad the lowest
Singapore ranks top for city infrastructure; London ranks eighth

The quality of living rankings are based on a point-scoring index, which sees Vienna score 108.6, and Baghdad 14.4. Cities are ranked against New York as the base city with an index score of 100.

Mercer’s Quality of Living ranking covers 215 cities and is conducted to help governments and major companies place employees on international assignments. In 2008, the quality of living in many regions has been affected. This is demonstrated by serious political turmoil, increasing unrest and instability, health and climatic concerns. The global financial crisis has intensified in 2008, becoming an area of increasing international concern. The effects of various rescue plans being implemented are yet to be known.
In this site you will find a global overview of the survey and a summary of results, including key changes, within each region.

Many companies plan to reduce the number of medium to long-term international assignments and localise their expatriate compensation packages where possible though the hardship allowance, based on quality of living criteria, will remain an essential component of the package.”
This year’s ranking also identifies the cities with the best infrastructure based on electricity supply, water availability, telephone and mail services, public transport provision, traffic congestion and the range of international flights from local airports.

Infrastructure has a significant effect on the quality of living experienced by expatriates. Whilst often taken for granted when functioning to a high standard, a city’s infrastructure can generate severe hardship when it is lacking. Companies need to provide adequate allowances to compensate their international workers for these and other hardships.

Top 5 quality of living ranking for cities worldwide

Top 5 cities - Overall
Top 5 cities - Infrastructure

Vienna, Austria (1st)
Zurich, Switzerland (2nd)
Geneva, Switzerland (3rd )
Vancouver, Canada (tied 4th)
Auckland, New Zealand (tied 4th) Singapore, Singapore (1st)
Munich, Germany (2nd)
Copenhagen, Denmark (3rd)
Tsukuba, Japan (4th)
Yokohama, Japan (5th)

Top 5 ranking cities by region
Quality of living
Top 5 cities - Americas
Top 5 cities - Asia Pacific
Top 5 cities - Europe
Top 5 cities - Middle East & Africa

Vancouver, Canada (tied 4th)
Toronto, Canada (15th)
Ottawa, Canada (16th)
Montreal, Canada (22nd)
Calgary, Canada (26th)

The lowest ranking Americas city in the top 50 was Seattle (50th).
Auckland, New Zealand (tied 4th)
Sydney, Australia (10th)
Wellington, New Zealand (12th)
Melbourne, Australia (18th)
Perth, Australia (21st) 

The lowest ranking Asian city in the top 50 was Osaka (tied for 44th).
Vienna, Austria ( 1st)
Zurich, Switzerland (2nd)
Geneva, Switzerland (3rd)
Dusseldorf, Germany (6th)
Munich, Germany (7th) 

The lowest ranking European city in the top 50 was Madrid (48th).
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (77th)
Port Louis, Mauritius (82nd)
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (84th)
Cape Town, South Africa (87th)
Port Elizabeth, South Africa (93rd)
 
Infrastructure
Top 5 cities - Americas
Top 5 cities - Asia Pacific
Top 5 cities - Europe
Top 5 cities - Middle East & Africa

Vancouver, Canada (6th)
Atlanta, USA (15th)
Montreal, Canada (tied 15th)
Toronto, Canada (18th)
Washington D.C, USA (24th)
Singapore, Singapore (1st)
Tsukuba, Japan (4th)
Yokohama, Japan (5th)
Hong Kong, Hong Kong (tied 8th)
Tokyo, Japan (12th)
Munich, Germany (2nd)
Copenhagen, Denmark (3rd)
Dusseldorf, Germany (6th)
Frankfurt, Germany (tied 8th)
London, UK (tied 8th)
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (35th)
Tel Aviv, Israel (55th)
Jerusalem, Israel (70th)
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (72nd)
Port Louis, Mauritius (92nd)