According to a new report from international consulting firm Mercer, Zurich, Switzerland, has emerged as the top city for expats seeking a better quality of life. With over 87 million people estimated to live as expats worldwide, many are drawn to cities that offer exceptional living conditions, and Zurich stands out in this regard due to its economic, social, and environmental advantages.
Mercer’s annual Quality of Living City Ranking evaluates cities based on key factors such as political stability, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and cultural environment. Zurich earned its top spot due to its outstanding public services, low crime rates, efficient infrastructure, and vibrant cultural scene. The city has also made strides in improving connectivity by adding several new direct flight routes to and from continents, further enhancing its appeal to international workers.
Serving as a global financial hub, Zurich is home to over 400,000 foreign-born residents, accounting for around 28 percent of its population. The city’s Old Town, which dates back over 2,000 years, adds to its historical charm, while its modern and efficient urban planning makes it a comfortable and attractive place to live.
In addition to its impressive quality of life, Zurich was named the world’s smartest city earlier this year, thanks to its innovative integration of new technologies to improve urban living. The city also ranked third for livability in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2024 report, receiving perfect scores in education and healthcare.
However, living in Zurich comes with a hefty price tag. The city has consistently ranked as one of the most expensive in the world, with Mercer placing it as the third priciest city globally, following Hong Kong and Singapore.
Switzerland dominates Mercer’s 2024 rankings, with four cities in the top ten: Geneva (3rd), Bern (9th), and Basel (10th) also making the list. Vienna, which ranked first in 2023, dropped to second place in 2024, but still offers a great balance of quality of life and affordability, coming in at 24th for cost of living.
Other notable cities include Auckland (5th) and Vancouver (7th), which are the only non-European cities in the top ten. Boston (32nd) is the highest-ranking American city in the report, which evaluates 241 cities worldwide.
At the other end of the spectrum, the report identified the worst cities for expats, with Bangui (239th), Baghdad (240th), and Khartoum (241st) at the bottom of the rankings.
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