Karachi has once again been listed among the world’s least liveable cities, according to a 2025 global survey by The Economist Intelligence Unit. The city ranked 170 out of 173, scoring just 42.7 out of 100. Only Tripoli, Dhaka, and Damascus ranked lower. Karachi was the only Pakistani city included in the report.
The survey assessed 173 cities worldwide using five categories — healthcare, education, stability, infrastructure, and culture and environment. Top rankings went to Copenhagen, Vienna, Zurich, Melbourne, and Geneva, which scored above 96. Karachi, however, remained at the bottom, showing little improvement over previous years.
In past rankings, Karachi compared with cities like Lagos, Tripoli, and Algiers. Last year, it stood at 169, and conditions remain difficult. An earlier Asian Development Bank (ADB) report also highlighted worsening city conditions and increasing inefficiency. The report pointed to poor competitiveness, traffic problems, and pollution.
The ADB also noted that social class divides make Karachi more unbalanced. Most wealthy residents live in cantonment or private societies, while lower-income groups live in overcrowded districts. Additionally, religious and ethnic divides continue to fuel tensions, contributing to the city’s instability and poor livability score.
Moreover, Karachi was listed as the world’s second-riskiest city for tourists by Forbes Adviser last year. It received a travel advisory of “reconsider travel” from the US State Department. The city’s poor infrastructure, high crime rate, and economic instability continue to raise global concerns about its livability and safety.