Ranking the Least Livable Cities in the World: Damascus Tops the List

The Economist Intelligence Unit's Global Liveability Index 2025 ranks Damascus, Syria as the least livable city in the world, followed by Tripoli, Libya and Kyiv, Ukraine. The index considers factors such as stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. The average livability score for 2025 is 76.1 out of 100, with scores in the stability category declining due to geopolitical tensions and civil unrest.

The Economist Intelligence Unit's Global Liveability Index 2025 has revealed that Damascus, Syria, is the least livable city in the world, followed by Tripoli, Libya, and Kyiv, Ukraine. The index, which ranks cities on over 30 factors across five categories—stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure—provides a comprehensive view of global urban livability [1].

Damascus, the capital of Syria, remains the world’s least livable city in 2025. Despite a dramatic regime change in late 2024, the city continues to grapple with the aftermath of over a decade of civil war. The index scores Damascus at 20.0 out of 100, with nearly 10 points lower than the next-worst city, Tripoli, Libya, which scores 30.0. The city's shattered infrastructure, limited access to healthcare, and low levels of public safety are significant contributors to its poor ranking [1].

Tripoli, Libya's capital, also continues to struggle with political instability, factional fighting, and collapsed public services. The city's score of 30.0 reflects its ongoing challenges, with no improvement over previous years. Kyiv, Ukraine, ranks near the bottom due to the ongoing war with Russia, which has severely impacted its infrastructure and safety [1].

The bottom of The Economist's livability rankings is largely filled by cities from the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, and South Asia. The average livability score for 2025 is 76.1 out of 100, the same as 2024. However, scores in the stability category have continued to decline amid widespread geopolitical tension and civil unrest around the world [1].

References:
[1] https://www.visualcapitalist.com/ranked-the-10-least-livable-cities-in-the-world-in-2025/