Harare ranked among the world's 10 least liveable cities in 2026

Harare ranked 165th out of 173 cities in the Economist Intelligence Unit's Global Liveability Index 2026, with healthcare, infrastructure and stability identified as its weakest areas.

HARARE – Harare has been ranked among the 10 least liveable cities in the world in the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Global Liveability Index 2026, highlighting persistent challenges in healthcare, infrastructure and public services despite ongoing efforts to modernise the capital.

The Zimbabwean capital ranked 165th out of 173 cities, making it the eighth least liveable city globally, according to the annual survey, which assesses living conditions in major cities worldwide. The Global Liveability Index 2026, compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit, evaluates cities across five key indicators: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.

"The concept of liveability is simple: it assesses which locations around the world provide the best or the worst living conditions," the EIU said in its report.

Harare recorded an overall score of 45 out of 100, with its weakest performance in healthcare (33), infrastructure (36), and stability (40). The city fared relatively better in culture and environment (57) and education (67). According to the EIU, each city is assessed using more than 30 qualitative and quantitative indicators measuring the quality of urban life.

Harare was one of four African cities listed among the world's 10 least liveable cities, alongside Lagos (Nigeria), Algiers (Algeria) and Tripoli (Libya). The EIU said cities occupying the bottom of the rankings typically suffer from prolonged conflict, political instability, weak infrastructure or widespread poverty.

"The bottom ten cities in our index have nearly all been affected by war or poverty, or both, with all scoring particularly poorly for stability," the report noted.

Harare ranked above Kyiv (Ukraine), Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea), Lagos, Algiers, Karachi (Pakistan), Dhaka (Bangladesh), Tripoli and Damascus (Syria).

At the top of the rankings, Copenhagen, Denmark, retained its position as the world's most liveable city for a second consecutive year, achieving perfect scores in stability, education and infrastructure. It was followed by Vienna, Austria, in second place and Melbourne, Australia, in third.

Harare's ranking is likely to intensify debate over the state of urban service delivery in Zimbabwe's capital, where residents have long raised concerns over deteriorating roads, intermittent water supplies, ageing infrastructure and healthcare challenges. Urban planners say improvements in public infrastructure, healthcare delivery, waste management and municipal governance will be critical if the city is to improve its standing in future global liveability rankings.

Harare least liveable city 2026