Each year, the international consulting firm Mercer carries out a study in order to assess the quality of life in 231 cities around the world. The results of the study in 2017 also gave Vienna top marks and made the Austrian federal capital the most livable city in the world for the eighth time in a row.

The survey compares the political, social and economic climate, medical care, education, and infrastructural conditions such as public transportation, power and water supply.

It also takes into consideration recreational offers such as restaurants, theaters, cinemas, sports facilities, the availability of all kinds of consumer goods from food to cars, as well as environmental conditions - from green space to air quality. "Economic instability, social unrest, and growing political upheaval all add to the complex challenge multinational companies face when analysing quality of living for their expatriate workforce," said Ilya Bonic, senior partner and president of Mercer's Career business. "For multinationals and governments it is vital to have quality of living information that is accurate, detailed, and reliable. It not only enables these employers to compensate employees appropriately, but it also provides a planning benchmark and insights into the often-sensitive operational environment that surrounds their workforce.

Vienna occupies first place for overall quality of living for the 8th year running, with the rest of the top-ten list mostly filled by European cities: Zurich is in second place, with Munich (4), Dusseldorf (6), Frankfurt (7), Geneva (8), Copenhagen (9), and Basel, a newcomer to the list, in 10th place. The only non-European cities in the top ten are Auckland (3) and Vancouver (5). The highest ranking cities in Asia and Latin America are Singapore (25) and Montevideo (79), respectively.

Read more about Vienna here.