The World's Best Places to Live 2009

Have you lived or traveled to one of the cities? If so, what is your opinion or experience? See the article link or text below.

No. 1: Vienna, Austria
No. 2: Zurich, Switzerland
No. 3: Geneva, Switzerland
No. 4 (tie): Vancouver, Canada
No. 4 (tied) Auckland, New Zealand
No. 6: Dusseldorf, Germany
No. 7: Munich, Germany
No. 8: Frankfurt, Germany
No. 9: Bern, Switzerland
No. 10: Sydney, Australia

The World's Best Places to Live Protected content
Tuesday, April 28, Protected content

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In Mercer Consultings annual Quality of Living Survey, Europe once again dominates the list of Protected content around the world. The top three cities are, by rank, Vienna, Zurich (last years winner), and Geneva. Commonwealth nations fare pretty well, too, winning 9 of the top 30 spots -- even though London comes in only at 38. The U.S. also fares poorly, barely making it into the top 30 with Honolulu and San Francisco in the bottom two places. The top city in Asia is Singapore, at no. 26. No cities from Africa or South America are in the top 30. The bottom? Baghdad once again comes in at 215.

To find out which 30 global cities offer the best quality of life, read on.

No. 1: Vienna, Austria

Mercer score: 108.6*
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GDP: $325 billion Protected content
Population: 1,664, Protected content city); 8,210, Protected content country)
Life expectancy: 79.5

*The rankings are based on a point scoring index established by Mercer Consultings Protected content of Living Survey, with Vienna scoring 108.6 and Baghdad scoring 14.4. Cities are compared with New York as the base city, with an index score of 100. The quality-of-living survey covers Protected content and is conducted to help governments and major companies place employees on international assignments. The survey also identifies those cities with the highest personal safety ranking based on internal stability, crime, effectiveness of law enforcement, and relationships with other countries.

No. 2: Zurich, Switzerland

Mercer score: 108
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GDP: 309.9 billion ( Protected content )
Population: 1,307, Protected content city); 7,604, Protected content country)
Life expectancy: 80.85

No. 3: Geneva, Switzerland

Mercer score: 107.9
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GDP: $309.9 billion ( Protected content )
Population: 438, Protected content city); 7,604, Protected content country)
Life expectancy: 80.85

No. 4 (tie): Vancouver, Canada

Mercer score: 107.4
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GDP: $1.3 trillion ( Protected content )
Population: 2,285, Protected content city); 33,487, Protected content country)
Life expectancy: 81.2

No. 4 (tie): Vancouver, Canada

Mercer score: 107.4
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GDP: $1.3 trillion ( Protected content )
Population: 2,285, Protected content city); 33,487, Protected content country)
Life expectancy: 81.2

No. 6: Dusseldorf, Germany

Mercer score: 107.2
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GDP: $2.86 trillion ( Protected content )
Population: 581, Protected content city); 82,329, Protected content country)
Life expectancy: 79.2

No. 7: Munich, Germany

Mercer score: 107
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GDP: $2.86 trillion ( Protected content )
Population: 1,300, Protected content city); 82,329, Protected content country)
Life expectancy: 79.2

No. 8: Frankfurt, Germany

Mercer score: 106.8
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GDP: $2.86 trillion ( Protected content )
Population: 662, Protected content city); 82,329, Protected content country)
Life expectancy: 79.2

No. 9: Bern, Switzerland

Mercer score: 106.5
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GDP: $309.9 billion ( Protected content )
Population: 962, Protected content city); 7,604, Protected content country)
Life expectancy: 80.85

No. 10: Sydney, Australia

Mercer score: 106.3
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GDP: $800.5 billion ( Protected content )
Population: 4,336, Protected content city); 21,262, Protected content country)
Life expectancy: 81.6