Brussels 24th 'most liveable' city in global ranking

Brussels has been named one of the 25 "most liveable" cities in the world for the first time in an annual ranking by The Economist magazine.

The capital jumped 22 places, from 46th to 24th, in the annual ranking by the Economist Intelligence Unit, achieving an overall score of 92 out of 100.

The study ranked 173 cities around the world based on factors including crime, infrastructure, green spaces, culture and healthcare.

Brussels' rise in the global ranking comes after the city implemented a 30km/h speed limit on most roads and made better use of public space following the coronavirus shutdown, including improved cycling infrastructure.

"Brussels was long time ignored in the Global Liveability Index," said Brussels state secretary for urban planning, Pascal Smet. "Now we are in the top 25. There is still a lot of work/potential."

Vienna came top this year, with Copenhagen second and Zurich third. Last year's winner, Auckland, fell 33 places due to its strict coronavirus restrictions.