Singapore Ranks Third in 2026 Global Quality of Life
The city secures a top-tier spot in the latest index assessing 1,000 cities worldwide.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Wellness
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Singapore achieved a quality of life score of 91.6 in the 2026 Global Cities Index. This ranking places the city third globally, trailing behind Canberra and Bergen.
Why it matters
The index highlights how specific metrics like income and safety shape urban livability for residents. Singapore excels due to high income levels and low crime, though housing costs remain a notable challenge.
Singapore earned a 91.6 score in the 2026 Global Cities Index, which assesses 1,000 cities across the globe. This quality of life category accounts for 25% of the total index, evaluating factors including income inequality and crime rates.
The players
Oxford Economics
This firm is a leader in global forecasting and quantitative analysis that produces the annual Global Cities Index.
The details
Oxford Economics manages the assessment by analyzing critical factors such as housing expenditure, income equality, and safety. While Singapore maintains a strong standing, its high housing costs relative to the region act as a distinct drawback in the evaluation.
Timeline
The 2026 Global Cities Index was released in 2026.
The Big Picture
This ranking follows the methodology of the Oxford Economics Global Cities Index to determine urban livability. The 2026 results update the global hierarchy of cities based on the institution's ongoing analysis of socioeconomic indicators.
The study provides insights into how local economic and social conditions directly influence daily living standards and household budgeting. Residents can look to these factors to understand how their city compares regarding cost of living and personal safety.
The takeaway
Understanding how cities score on these indices can help individuals evaluate the livability of different urban environments. Residents should focus on balancing income advantages against the impact of housing costs when assessing their own quality of life.
Further reading
Discover more about factors that influence urban health and living standards in the Wellness section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by VnExpress International – Latest news, business, travel and analysis from Vietnam.
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