Karachi, June 17, 2025 – Karachi, Pakistan’s financial hub, has been ranked 170 out of 173 cities in the 2025 Global Liveability Index, highlighting ongoing challenges in urban living conditions, according to a recent survey.
Persistent Challenges for Karachi
The annual survey, which assesses living conditions across 173 global cities, gave Karachi a score of 42.7 out of 100, placing it just above Dhaka, Tripoli, and Damascus. Karachi’s ranking remains largely unchanged from 2024, when it stood at 169th. The city struggles with issues such as infrastructure inefficiencies, social inequality, and urban overcrowding, which continue to impact its liveability.
Global Comparison
In contrast, Copenhagen topped the 2025 index with a score of 98.0, followed closely by Vienna (97.1), Zurich (97.1), Melbourne (97.0), and Geneva (96.8). Vienna, previously the most liveable city from 2022 to 2024, slipped to second place due to a slight decline in its stability score following two foiled terrorist incidents.
Urban Issues in Pakistan
Karachi was the only Pakistani city included in the 2025 index. A recent report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) noted a broader decline in liveability across Pakistan’s urban centers, citing inefficiencies in city management. In Karachi, social disparities are stark, with affluent residents concentrated in cantonment areas and private societies, while lower-income communities predominantly reside in the densely populated Karachi East district.
Implications for Karachi
The survey underscores the need for targeted improvements in Karachi’s infrastructure, public services, and equitable urban planning to enhance its liveability. As Pakistan’s economic powerhouse, addressing these challenges is critical for the city’s future growth and residents’ quality of life.
