INTERNATIONAL REWARD
Worldwide quality of life survey 2005
Geneva and Zurich rank as the world's top cities for overall quality of life, according to a survey by Mercer Human Resource Consulting.
Cities are ranked against New York as the base city, which has a rating of 100. Mercer's survey shows that Geneva and Zurich remain the world’ s top-scoring cities with 106.5 points. Other high-scoring cities include Vancouver and Vienna in joint 3rd place (score 106).
The analysis is part of a worldwide quality of life survey, covering 215 cities, designed to help governments and major companies place employees on international assignments.
Cities in Europe, New Zealand, and Australia continue to rank highly. Munich and Dü sseldorf both move up the rankings, from 10th and 12th place respectively, to share joint 5th place with Frankfurt. Munich’ s rise is due to more efficient waste removal systems and better housing for expatriates, while Dü sseldorf’ s transport and standards of international schooling have improved. Bern, Copenhagen, and Sydney are pushed down slightly to rank 8 with scores of 105.
In the US, Honolulu and San Francisco rank highest in joint 25th position (score 102), mainly because they have lower crime levels than other US cities. Boston, New York, Portland, and Washington follow in positions 36, 39, 42 and 42 respectively (score 100.5, 100, 99 and 99), while Houston ranks lowest at position 68 (score 94).
Want to know more?
Title: Quality of Living reports, Mercer Human Resource Consulting.
Availability: Individual reports are produced for each city surveyed, but there is no overall summary report available. Further details are available from client services, Mercer global information services, tel: +41 22 869 3000 or visit www.imercer.com/qol
Read the press release online at www.mercerhr.com/summary.jhtml/dynamic/idContent/1173105 jsessionid=UCZIEV5PK5VW0CTGOUGCHPQKMZ0QYI2C
Methodology: The analysis was based on an evaluation of 39 quality of life criteria for each city, including political, social, economic, and environmental factors, personal safety and health, education, transport, and other public services. Data was largely collected between September and November 2004 and is regularly updated to take account of changing circumstances.
Mercer Human Resource Consulting is one of the world's leading consulting organisations, and it "helps employers create measurable business results through their people". The company employs more than 14,000 employees, serving clients from some 145 cities in 41 countries and territories worldwide. To find put more visit www.mercerhr.com
Posted 22 March 2005