The 2021 Liveability Ratings of cities worldwide is significantly different from ratings done in previous years. This is due to the impact of the pandemic. Auckland in New Zealand had the highest ranking according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) liveability survey.
In order to reflect the impact of the pandemic, new indicators were included in the survey. According to the EIU’s report, these indicators are:
- Stress on healthcare resources
- Restrictions on local sporting events
- Restrictions on theatre
- Restrictions on classic and modern music concerts
- Restrictions on restaurants, bars, coffee shops and nightclubs
- Restrictions on educational institutes.
Cities that scored high in the ranking managed to protect city life with strong border closures, their approach to the health crisis and how soon vaccination campaigns started. Auckland managed to keep schools open, as well as theatre, restaurants and other cultural attractions. Other cities in New Zealand and Australia managed to do the same and six of the top ten cities are in New Zealand and Australia. The overall categories according to which cities are rated, are stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure.
