According to a recent report by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan, has been ranked among the top five ‘least livable’ urban centers in the world. The EIU’s Global Livability Index 2023 placed Karachi at the 169th spot out of a total of 173 cities evaluated. The only cities ranked lower than Karachi were Lagos, Algiers, Tripoli, and Damascus. The index, which focuses on the post-COVID recovery of cities worldwide, assesses living conditions based on five categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.
Scores ranging from 1 to 100 are assigned to evaluate the livability factor, with 1 considered intolerable and 100 considered ideal. Karachi received an overall score of 42.5, indicating a lower-than-ideal livability rating.Karachi performed most poorly in the stability category, receiving a score of 20, which remained unchanged from the previous year. The city also received a score of 50 for healthcare, 38.7 for culture and environment, 75 for education, and 51.8 for infrastructure. This is not the first time Karachi has fared poorly on the EIU’s index.
In 2019, the city was ranked 136th out of 140 cities, and no report was published in 2020. In 2022, it was ranked 134th out of 140 cities, indicating a consistent decline in livability over the years. In contrast, the top-ranked cities on the index predominantly hail from Western Europe and Canada. Vienna, the capital of Austria, secured the top spot for the second consecutive year with a perfect score of 100 in four out of the five indicators. The ranking serves as a wake-up call for Karachi’s authorities to address the pressing issues that have hindered the city’s livability.
Improving stability, healthcare facilities, cultural and environmental aspects, education, and infrastructure should be prioritized to enhance the quality of life for its residents. While the EIU’s report sheds light on the challenges faced by Karachi, it is important to note that rankings are subjective and based on specific criteria. Nonetheless, the findings can serve as a valuable tool to prompt necessary improvements and encourage policymakers to take steps towards creating a more livable and sustainable city for its residents.