Global Liveability Index 2024: African Cities Face Persistent Challenges
The Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) annual Global Liveability Index evaluates 173 cities worldwide across five key dimensions: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. The 2024 edition highlights how ongoing conflict, economic strain, and inadequate public services continue to depress liveability scores in several African capitals.
African cities in the bottom ten
Four African metros appeared among the lowest‑ranked cities this year:
- Tripoli, Libya – ranked 172nd with an overall score of 41/100, making it the worst‑scoring city in Africa and the second worst globally (only Damascus, Syria, ranked lower).
- Harare, Zimbabwe – placed 165th with a score of 45/100. While its education component was relatively strong at 67, a low health score of 33 dragged down the overall result.
- Lagos, Nigeria – ranked 168th with a score of 44/100. Stability proved particularly weak (30/100), and healthcare remained modest at 38, despite a comparatively better infrastructure rating of 54.
- Algiers, Algeria – came in at 169th with a score of 43/100. The city performed reasonably well in healthcare (54/100) but suffered from a deficient infrastructure score of 30.
Other low‑scoring cities worldwide
The index also flagged several non‑African cities facing similar pressures:
- Tehran, Iran
- Kiev, Ukraine
- Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
- Karachi, Pakistan
- Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Damascus, Syria – the lowest‑ranked city at 173rd place.
These results underscore that armed conflict, economic instability, and under‑investment in urban infrastructure are recurring themes behind poor liveability outcomes across multiple regions.
Why scores remain low
Analysts point to a combination of factors that keep these cities at the bottom of the list:
- Prolonged conflict and political instability – Tripoli’s score reflects years of armed struggle and weak governance, which undermine safety and disrupt essential services.
- Rapid urbanisation without matching investment – Lagos and Harare struggle to expand healthcare, water, and transport networks fast enough to accommodate growing populations.
- Infrastructure deficits – Algiers’ low infrastructure rating illustrates how inadequate roads, power supply, and sanitation systems diminish daily quality of life.
- Economic pressures – Inflation, currency volatility, and limited fiscal space restrict governments’ ability to fund public services and maintenance.
What the index means for stakeholders
The EIU Global Liveability Index is widely consulted by multinational corporations, policymakers, and expatriate communities when assessing relocation risks, investment decisions, and humanitarian needs. By quantifying dimensions such as safety, access to medical care, educational opportunities, and cultural amenities, the index offers a comparable snapshot of urban livability that can guide targeted interventions and resource allocation.
While the 2024 rankings reveal stark challenges for several African capitals, they also highlight areas where focused investment—particularly in healthcare infrastructure, stable governance, and resilient urban planning—could yield measurable improvements in residents’ quality of life.
