Auckland has tumbled out of the world's top 10 most liveable cities, according to the latest Economist Intelligence Unit Global Liveability Index.
The 2026 rankings show the City of Sails has dropped five places from its equal-seventh finish last year to 12th overall. The supercity slipped as other cities improved their liveability, while its healthcare and infrastructure scores also edged down.
Wellington has also slipped, falling out of the top 20 after another year of declining performance.
The result marks a significant decline for New Zealand's two largest cities. In 2021, Auckland was ranked the world's most liveable city, while Wellington placed fourth, thanks to New Zealand's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
At the top of the rankings, Copenhagen retained its title as the world's most liveable city.
Across the Tasman, Australian cities continue to dominate the global rankings.
Melbourne climbed to third place, Sydney ranked fourth, and Adelaide secured eighth, giving Australia three cities in the world's top 10.
The annual index assesses 173 cities across five key categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.
This year's rankings were heavily influenced by instability across the Middle East following the outbreak of war involving Iran, Israel and the United States in February.
Iran launched attacks on neighbouring countries and disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, contributing to an average fall of more than three places for cities across the region.
At the bottom of the rankings, Damascus, Syria, remained the world's least liveable city.
Tehran also entered the bottom 10 after recording one of the steepest declines in this year's index.
World's top 10 most liveable cities
1. Copenhagen, Denmark
2. Vienna, Austria
3. Melbourne, Australia
4. Sydney, Australia
5. Zurich, Switzerland
6. Geneva, Switzerland
7. Osaka, Japan
8. Adelaide, Australia
9. Vancouver, Canada
10. Tokyo, Japan.
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