Rio de Janeiro stands out in Latin America for its improved quality of life, according to the Global Liveability Index 2025, the annual ranking published by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). Among 173 cities evaluated worldwide, the Brazilian coastal capital was the only one in Latin America to move up in the ranking, climbing three positions compared to the previous year. Rio now holds the 111th spot, with an overall score of 70.9 out of 100.
Although still far from the top positions — led by cities such as Copenhagen, Vienna, and Melbourne — Rio made a mark regionally. Cities like Buenos Aires (Argentina), Mexico City (Mexico), and Bogotá (Colombia) either maintained similar rankings to last year or performed worse than Rio, with scores ranging from 65 to 69, according to previous editions of the index. Caracas (Venezuela), by contrast, remains among the ten lowest-ranked cities globally, with just 44.9 points and critical ratings for both stability and public health.
The index measures factors such as stability, healthcare, culture, education, and infrastructure to assess the quality of life in urban centers. It is widely used by companies and institutions to inform relocation decisions and investment strategies.
Despite ongoing social and structural challenges, Rio has shown progress in areas such as urban mobility, and cultural revitalization projects — all of which may have contributed to its modest rise. Experts note that in a region marked by political instability and urban inequality, any measurable progress is a significant sign of resilience and recovery potential.
Rio’s lively culture and postcard-perfect lifestyle have not only helped boost its quality of life score, but also fueled a tourism surge in 2025. In just the first five months of the year, the city welcomed over 1 million international visitors for landmark events like Lady Gaga’s record-breaking Copacabana concert, along with 4.9 million domestic tourists — a 16.3% increase compared to the previous year — highlighting Rio’s growing appeal on both the global and local stage.
