(CNN) It's official. Melbourne is on top of the world -- again. <\/p>\n
The Australian city has topped the Economist Intelligence Unit's ranking of the most livable cities in the world for the seventh year in a row. <\/p>\n
Melbourne received a score of 97.5 out of 100 on the annual list, which assesses stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure in 140 different cities. <\/p>\n
While very little has changed at the top end of the list in the past 12 months, there have been some major changes further down. <\/p>\n
Iceland's Reykjavik moved up 13 places from 50 to 37 with a score of 89.9. This significant jump is thought to stem from a rise in tourism as well as redevelopment. Amsterdam, which has seen a decline in crime rates in recent years, has also progressed, shifting up to 18th spot with a score of 94.0. <\/p>\n
It's a slightly bleaker picture for Manchester and Stockholm, whose rankings have fallen as a result of high-profile terrorist attacks. Manchester dropped from 43 to 51 on the list, while Stockholm is down to 26, with an overall score of 92.1. <\/p>\n
However the overall result is positive on a global scale as 12 cities have seen an improvement in livability, while just six have experienced a decline. <\/p>\n
\"While the improvement is marginal it does reflect a positive note for global livability, which has been beset by mounting instability over the course of the last decade,\" says Jon Copestake, editor of the survey. <\/p>\n
\"Many of the challenges to livability have not gone away, terror attacks have continued and geopolitical posturing has created further international uncertainty. Perhaps a turning point has been reached but livability levels remain low by historical standards.\" <\/p>\n
Unsurprisingly the bottom of the list is made up of cities devastated by war, poverty and political unrest. <\/p>\n
Syria's capital, Damascus, is at the very bottom, with an overall livability rating of just 30.2, while Nigeria's Lagos and Libya's Tripoli are just slightly ahead, with scores of 36 and 36.6 respectively. <\/p>\n
1. Melbourne, Australia <\/p>\n
2. Vienna, Austria <\/p>\n
3. Vancouver, Canada <\/p>\n
4. Toronto, Canada <\/p>\n
= 5. Calgary, Canada <\/p>\n
= 5. Adelaide, Australia <\/p>\n
7. Perth, Australia <\/p>\n
8. Auckland, New Zealand <\/p>\n
9. Helsinki, Finland <\/p>\n
10. Hamburg, Germany <\/p>\n
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World's 10 most livable cities in 2017 - CNN<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" (CNN) It's official. Continue reading