Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan, has been ranked as one of the ‘least livable’ cities in the world, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The EIU’s Global Livability Index 2023 placed Karachi at 169th out of 173 cities, with only Lagos, Algiers, Tripoli, and Damascus ranked lower.
The index evaluates the post-COVID recovery of cities and assesses living conditions in five categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. Karachi received an overall score of 42.5, which is considered lower than ideal. The city performed particularly poorly in the stability category, with a score of 20, indicating little improvement over the past year. It scored 50 on healthcare, 38.7 on culture and environment, 75 on education, and 51.8 on infrastructure.
Karachi’s performance on the EIU’s index has been consistently poor. In 2019, it was ranked 136th out of 140 cities, and in 2022, it was ranked 134th out of 140 cities. In contrast, most of the top-ranked cities on the index were from Western Europe and Canada. The Austrian capital, Vienna, topped the list for the second consecutive year with a perfect score of 100 in four out of the five indicators.
Karachi’s low ranking highlights the challenges the city faces in terms of stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. The city will need to address these issues to improve its livability and enhance the quality of life for its residents.
It is important to note that the rankings are based on objective data and assessments by the EIU. The findings should serve as a starting point for policymakers and authorities in Karachi to identify areas for improvement and implement necessary measures to enhance livability.
As Karachi strives to recover from the impacts of COVID-19 and improve its livability, collaboration between government authorities, community organizations, and residents will be essential. By addressing the factors that contribute to livability, such as security, healthcare access, environmental sustainability, quality education, and robust infrastructure, Karachi can create a more favorable living environment for its residents.
While it is disheartening to see Karachi ranked as one of the ‘least livable’ cities, it is important to approach these findings constructively and use them as a catalyst for positive change. By acknowledging the city’s challenges and working towards comprehensive solutions, Karachi can pave the way for a brighter and more livable future.
