As in the years before, Zurich remains the city with the second highest quality of life, only lagging behind Vienna (Austria). Geneva holds steady on place 8, while Basel comes in new ranked 10th. As in 2016, the Swiss capital Bern is ranked 14h, thus among the top 15 worldwide.
The Mercer survey analyses and compares living conditions of 450 cities around the world, 231 of which are included in this year’s ranking. The ranking assesses quality of life for expat employees in particular and is destined for multinationals, government agencies and local authorities.
“Access to a variety of transport options, being connected locally and internationally, and access to electricity and drinkable water are among the essential needs of expatriates arriving in a new location on assignment. A well-developed infrastructure can also be a key competitive advantage for cities and municipalities trying to attract multinational companies, talent, and foreign investments,” says Mercer CEO Parakatil in a statement.
Mercer evaluates the living conditions according to 39 criteria that include political, economic, educational and environmental factors, as well as medical and health considerations. The survey further includes a separate city infrastructure ranking, assessing easy access to transportation, reliable electricity, and drinkable water. In this particular ranking, Zurich occupies spot 9, while Singapore tops the list.
Source: Press release
