Muscat – Muscat has fallen 14 places to 123rd in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) Global Liveability Index 2026, making it the world’s biggest downward mover as the Iran war weighed on stability across the Gulf and wider Middle East.

The report ranks 173 cities using 30 indicators across five categories – stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. While the global average liveability score remained unchanged at 76.1, gains in healthcare, particularly across Asia, offset a worldwide decline in stability.

According to the EIU, the conflict involving Iran had the greatest impact on cities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), where the average regional liveability score fell by one point to 61. Cities across the region dropped by an average of more than three places in the rankings.

Muscat recorded an overall score of 68, down four points from last year, resulting in the sharpest decline among all cities assessed. Kuwait City followed with a 12-place fall to 105th, while Amman, Manama and Doha also recorded significant declines. Abu Dhabi and Dubai each slipped four places to 76th and 79th respectively.

The report attributed the regional decline to the Iran-US war, which began in February 2026. The attacks on neighbouring countries and disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz undermined stability scores.

Despite the setback, the EIU noted that healthcare standards continued to improve across parts of the MENA region, although these gains were insufficient to offset weaker stability.

Globally, Copenhagen retained its position as the world’s most liveable city for the second consecutive year, followed by Vienna and Melbourne. The top ten remained dominated by cities in Europe, Australia, Canada and Japan.

Asia was the strongest-performing region this year, with average scores rising on the back of healthcare improvements in China and gains in Japan. Chinese cities accounted for most of the index’s biggest upward movers, while New York climbed three places to 66th after improvements in public safety.

At the other end of the rankings, cities affected by conflict and economic hardship continued to dominate the bottom of the index. Damascus remained the world’s least liveable city, while Tehran entered the bottom ten following the impact of the war.

Biggest downward movers

Muscat (-14 places)

Kuwait City (-12)

Amman (-11)

Manama (-10)

Doha (-7)

Abu Dhabi (-4)

Dubai (-4)

Top 10 most liveable cities (2026)

Rank | City      

1    Copenhagen

2    Vienna   

3    Melbourne 

4    Sydney    

5    Zurich    

6    Geneva    

7    Osaka     

8    Adelaide  

9    Vancouver 

10   Tokyo