Melbourne tops Vienna to be most liveable city: The Economist

For the sixth year in a row Melbourne has topped The Economist's list of the world's most liveable cities. 

Vienna was ranked the world's second-most liveable city, followed by Vancouver and Toronto.

Sydney is one of the biggest losers of this year's report, tumbling out of the top 10 most liveable cities, down four places to 11th.

Adelaide has managed to hold on to its title as the world's fifth-most liveable city, tied with the Canadian city of Calgary. 

Overall the survey reported increasing instability around the world, including through civil war and other violent acts.

"This has been a year undoubtedly marked by terrorism," the report said.

"While not a new phenomenon, its frequency and spread have increased noticeably and become even more prominent in the past year."

Paris (32nd place) was among the cities that experienced the biggest declines in liveability in the past five years.

The Syrian city of Damascus ranked last among the 140 cities.

The Economist liveability score hasn't changed much since 2011 for Melbourne although the city has lost points in the categories of stability and culture and environment. But it scored a perfect 100/100 in education, healthcare and infrastructure.