Most Livable Cities in Canada: Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto Take Three Spots in the World’s Top 10
June 5, 2024 · Residency by investment · 8 min read
Canada placed three cities among the world’s 10 most livable cities, more than any other country.
Canada placed three cities among the world’s 10 most livable cities, more than any other country.
Canada: home to more of the world’s most livable cities than any other country
Canada placed three cities in the top 10 of the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) 2023 Global Liveability Index: Vancouver in fifth place, Calgary in seventh (tied with Geneva, Switzerland), and Toronto in ninth. No other country had more cities in the top 10. Vienna (Austria) topped the 2023 ranking, followed by Copenhagen (Denmark) and Melbourne (Australia).
Vancouver
Located on Canada’s west coast, Vancouver ranked highest of the most livable cities in Canada. It scored a perfect 100 for healthcare and education and earned the second-highest score for culture and environment.
Vancouver offers stunning natural scenery where the mountains meet the sea, along with a mild climate widely considered one of the most pleasant in Canada. Its natural beauty, dramatic landscapes, and clean air give residents a peaceful way of life close to nature.
Calgary
Although Calgary is not usually counted among Canada’s three big cities for newcomers (Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal), it continues to perform strongly in the livability rankings, keeping its top-10 place from the 2022 report with a score of 96.8. According to these results, Calgary continues to show the potential to become Canada’s most livable city: it was the only city in the top 10 other than Vienna to score a perfect 100 in four categories: stability, healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
Located near the Rocky Mountains in western Alberta, Calgary is one of Canada’s largest cities. Residents describe it as having a small-town feel with big-city amenities, along with a lower cost of living than Canada’s other major cities.
Toronto
Toronto ranked ninth with an overall score of 96.5, earning perfect scores in three categories: education, healthcare, and stability. Its infrastructure score was lower, but the city’s infrastructure is still regarded as highly convenient, and residents can get around the city quickly and easily.
Toronto is Canada’s most populous city and stands out for its cultural diversity, with more than 51% of residents born outside Canada. An entrepreneurial spirit also shapes the city, from major companies (Uber, Google, and Facebook all have offices here) to promising new start-ups. In recent years, Toronto has become North America’s third-largest tech hub, after New York and Silicon Valley. Together with its multicultural population, this means people who live and work in Toronto can gain international work experience without leaving the city.
Why Canada appeals to immigrants
Canada is known not only for its strong education and healthcare systems but also for its stability and safety. Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto all earned perfect scores for healthcare and education, supporting a high quality of life for residents. Canada also offers a clean living environment, cultural diversity, and a wide range of job opportunities, making it an ideal destination for immigrants from around the world. One standout feature of Canadian cities is their strong connection to nature: the blend of natural surroundings and urban design gives residents easy access to outdoor activities and enhances their quality of life.
With three cities in the top 10 of the global livability ranking, Canada has firmly established itself as one of the world’s most livable countries and a leading choice for people looking to immigrate.
At the time of writing (June 2024), the Start-up Visa (SUV) was the only Canadian business immigration program that allowed entrepreneurs to obtain permanent residence directly and settle in Canada with their whole family (a spouse and children under 22), without first going through a temporary residence stage. Permanent residents have access to healthcare, social benefits, and education on largely the same terms as Canadian citizens (except the right to vote) and may become eligible for Canadian citizenship after at least 3 years (1,095 days) of physical presence in Canada.
| See full details of Canada’s Start-up Visa (SUV) program.
If you are interested in Canada’s Start-up Visa program, contact IMM Group or leave your details below. Our experienced advisors will provide detailed guidance and help assess your application’s prospects. We are committed to keeping your personal data confidential and will use the information you provide only to advise on your family’s case.
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