High quality of living in Australasian and Canadian cities

Cities in Australia, New Zealand and Canada dominate the rankings of the best cities to live in, according to the 2007 Mercer Human Resource Consulting Quality of Living Survey.
Of the top 25 cities, nine are from these countries, with Vancouver, Auckland and Sydney all in the top ten.The analysis is based on a detailed assessment and evaluation of 39 criteria for each city including political, social, economic and environmental factors, personal safety and health, education, transport and other public services.The rankings are based on data collected on 215 cities between September and November 2006. The data is regularly updated to take account of changing circumstances. Top Australasian cities are Auckland (tied for 5th), Sydney (tied for 9th), Wellington (12th), Melbourne (17th) and Perth (21st).Highly ranked Canadian cities are Vancouver (3rd), Toronto (15th), Ottawa (tied for 18th), Montreal (22nd) and Calgary (24th).Swiss cities Zurich and Geneva are at the top of the rankings this year.In a separate study, Mercer ranked cities on health and sanitation. Canadian city Calgary tops this list.This survey is based on the quality and availability of hospital and medical supplies and levels of air pollution and infectious diseases. The efficiency of waste removal and sewage systems, water potability and the presence of harmful animals and insects are also taken into account.