Vancouver has again been named one of the world’s most livable cities, standing out as the only North American city in the top 10 of the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2026 Global Liveability Index. For people considering immigration to Canada, the ranking offers a useful look at daily life, public services, education, healthcare, and infrastructure in one of Canada’s best-known destinations.
Vancouver earns a place among the world’s most livable cities
Vancouver, British Columbia, has been ranked among the 10 most livable cities in the world in the 2026 Global Liveability Index published by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The city placed ninth overall, improving by one spot compared with last year. It was also the only city in North America to appear in the top 10 for a second year in a row.
The annual index reviewed 173 cities around the world and measured how well each one supports day-to-day quality of life. While the report is not an immigration tool, it matters to many newcomers because it highlights the practical side of settling in Canada: access to healthcare, strong schools, public safety, transportation, housing conditions, and the overall living environment.
For many families, workers, and international students who are starting to explore Canadian immigration pathways, city rankings like this can help narrow down where they may want to build a future. British Columbia already attracts many newcomers through work permits, study permits, family sponsorship, and the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program. Vancouver’s continued strong performance may reinforce that interest.
The top 10 list was largely similar to the previous year, although Tokyo entered the ranking and Auckland dropped out. Europe had the biggest presence among the leading cities, while the rest of the list included locations in Oceania, Asia, and North America.
Why this ranking matters to newcomers to Canada
Quality of life can shape settlement success
When people plan an immigration to Canada process, they often focus first on visas, eligibility, language tests, and permanent residence options. Those are important, but life after arrival matters just as much. A city’s transit system, schools, healthcare access, and public services can have a major effect on how smoothly a newcomer settles.
That is one reason Vancouver remains such a well-known destination. It offers a strong education system, international connections, and a diverse population. For newcomers, that can mean more community networks, more settlement support, and better access to services in a large urban centre.
At the same time, choosing where to live in Canada should always be based on more than popularity. Some newcomers may benefit more from smaller communities or provinces with different labour market needs. Others may find better long-term opportunities through the Express Entry system, a regional stream, or a provincial nomination. For example, candidates interested in long-term settlement outside major cities may want to review the Atlantic Immigration Program or regional pathways connected to local employers.
Vancouver remains attractive, but not the only option
The latest ranking confirms Vancouver’s global appeal, but newcomers should still compare affordability, employment prospects, and immigration options across Canada. British Columbia is highly desirable, yet other provinces may offer strong opportunities through Provincial Nominee Programs in Canada, especially for applicants with in-demand work experience or ties to a region.
For skilled workers, the best destination is often the one that matches both lifestyle goals and immigration strategy. Someone with a high language score in IELTS or CELPIP, a positive Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), and strong work history may have different options from a student, a family-sponsored applicant, or a worker seeking a provincial nomination.
How Vancouver performed in the 2026 index
Small gains helped the city move up
Vancouver’s overall score rose slightly from 95.8 in 2025 to 96.0 in 2026. That modest increase was enough to move the city from 10th place to ninth. The city kept a perfect score in education, which remains one of its strongest advantages.
Some category scores changed from the previous year. Healthcare improved slightly, infrastructure also improved, and culture and environment dipped a little while still remaining very strong. Vancouver reportedly scored higher than Copenhagen in culture and environment, even with that minor decline.
| Category | 2025 Score | 2026 Score |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | 95.8 | 96.0 |
| Culture and environment | 97.2 | 97.0 |
| Infrastructure | 92.9 | 93.0 |
| Education | 100 | 100 |
Although Vancouver improved this year, it still sits below its 2024 position, when it ranked seventh. Earlier in the 2000s, the city held the top spot for many years before gradually moving lower while still remaining one of the world’s strongest performers.
What this can mean for immigrants and students
For international students, Vancouver’s education score may stand out, especially for those looking at institutions in British Columbia and planning future study-to-permanent residence pathways. For skilled workers, the city’s infrastructure and healthcare performance may also be appealing, especially if they hope to settle with a spouse or children.
Still, a good city ranking does not automatically make an immigration application easier. Eligibility for Canadian immigration is determined by federal and provincial rules, not city livability scores. Applicants still need to meet the requirements of the programme they choose, whether that means language testing through IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF, obtaining an ECA for foreign education, or meeting work experience and proof of funds rules.
Those who want to compare their profile under federal selection criteria can review the Comprehensive Ranking System and use a CRS calculator for Canada immigration to understand how age, education, language ability, and work experience may affect their score.
How the livability index is measured
The five main categories
The EIU assessed each city using 30 indicators grouped into five broad categories. Each category contributes to the final score, which is calculated on a scale from 1 to 100. A higher score reflects a more favourable living environment.
- Stability (25%): crime levels, civil unrest, and security-related risks.
- Healthcare (20%): quality and availability of public and private care, plus access to medicines and general health indicators.
- Culture and environment (25%): climate, recreation, cultural life, consumer services, and social conditions.
- Education (10%): quality and access in both public and private education.
- Infrastructure (20%): roads, transit, utilities, telecommunications, housing, and international connections.
This methodology helps explain why Vancouver continues to perform well. It is not just a scenic city; it also scores strongly in the systems that support everyday life. That can be especially meaningful for newcomers who are deciding where to work, study, or raise a family after receiving permanent residence in Canada.
A reminder for immigration planning
For people thinking seriously about moving to Canada, rankings can be helpful, but they should be one part of a larger plan. The better question is not only “Which city is most livable?” but also “Which province, programme, and community fit my background?” Some applicants may qualify through Express Entry, others through a PNP, employer-supported work permit, family sponsorship, or study route. If your goal is to improve your chances, it may help to assess your immigration options before choosing a destination.
Canada offers many possible routes, and the right one depends on your profile, not just on a city’s reputation. A thoughtful strategy can make a major difference in how smoothly your move unfolds and how well you settle after arrival.
Immigration rules and programme requirements can change often, so readers should always confirm current details with IRCC or speak with a licensed immigration professional before making decisions. EverNorth Immigration is here to help with experienced, compassionate guidance at every stage of your journey toward a new life in Canada—if you are ready to take the next step, you can book your free immigration assessment.
