Melbourne Only City Named As World's Most Liveable For Five Years Running

MELBOURNE, Australia, Aug. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Melbourne remains the only city in the world to have this week topped the Economist's Intelligence Unit's (EIU) Global Liveability Index for the fifth year in a row.

The annual ranking looks at living conditions in 140 cities across the globe by assigning a rating across five broad categories, including: stability; healthcare; culture and environment; education; and infrastructure.

Ranked first, Melbourne cemented its positions with a perfect score of 100 in healthcare, education and infrastructure and within the culture and environment basket, a perfect 100 on sport underlining the Victorian Government's continued investment in these priority areas.  

Melbourne has consistently appeared in the top five cities since the ranking's inception in 2002, and has taken out the top spot in the index for the past five years in a row.

In the five years that Melbourne has retained its number one spot, international visitors to Victoria have increased by 8.0% per year, compared the national average of 4.7 % per annum.

Similarly, tourist expenditure in Victoria increased by 8.8% compared to a 5.2% per annum increase nationally.

"Once again Melbourne has come out on top, confirming we really do have the best of everything in in Victoria," stated Daniel Andrews, Premier of Victoria

"Melbourne offers an enviable lifestyle -- some of the best sports and major events, the best artists and creative minds, the best universities and schools, the best entrepreneurs and ideas, world-class and well-connected infrastructure and a strong economy -- what's not to love," said Andrews.

Helen Rowell, Executive Director of Victoria Government Business Office of South East Asia, welcomed the highly sought after ranking and said, "To keep Victoria number one we need to keep investing in the future. In 2015-16 the Victorian Government has invested $20 billion in major transport infrastructure and a further $5.4 billion to health and education to create more jobs and grow our economy."

"Our recent brand overhaul to Brand Victoria will also ensure Victoria and its magnificent capital Melbourne -- remain the envy of the world when it comes to its economy, its cultural diversity, world class events and liveability," said Rowell.