KARACHI: Once again, Karachi has landed among the bottom-ranked cities in the latest Karachi Global Liveability Index released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) for 2025. The city dropped to 170th place out of 173 global cities, exposing deep-rooted issues in public services and quality of life.
The Karachi Global Liveability Index measures cities across five major categories: healthcare, stability, infrastructure, education, and environment. Karachi scored low in nearly all. The EIU’s evaluation includes more than 30 indicators, rating cities from “acceptable” to “intolerable.”
Only three cities in the world ranked lower than Karachi this year. Lagos, Nigeria, placed last at 173rd. Vienna, Austria, topped the list for the seventh consecutive year, praised for its advanced healthcare system, reliable infrastructure, and rich cultural life. Cities like Copenhagen, Zurich, Melbourne, and Osaka also featured among the top ten.
But not everyone agrees with the ranking.
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab publicly rejected the Karachi Global Liveability Index findings. He called the report flawed and unreflective of the city’s true character. “I do not believe in this survey report about Karachi. My city was, is, and will always remain a great city,” he said in a media statement.
Wahab highlighted that Karachi continues to serve as Pakistan’s economic and cultural engine. He stressed that thousands migrate to the city each day in search of jobs and opportunities. “If there’s any other city that is better, why doesn’t everyone go there?” he asked.
He acknowledged that Karachi faces real challenges. But he firmly stated that any solution must come from within, not from outside assessments. “If there are shortcomings, we will overcome them ourselves — not the creators of these indices,” Wahab insisted.
Despite criticism, the Karachi Global Liveability Index has reignited debate on urban management, infrastructure, and citizen services in one of the world’s largest megacities. Many residents agree that more must be done, but others share the mayor’s view that Karachi’s spirit can’t be captured in a global ranking.
