Tokyo recently dethroned Copenhagen to claim the #1 spot in Monocle’s 2026 Quality of Life Survey. Copenhagen: The world’s second most livable city.

Monocle’s survey consists of 30 questions sent to its correspondents in 40 cities worldwide. According to Monocle’s Copenhagen correspondent, the council has done one thing right. It has restricted hotel development in the city – in response to the housing shortage – which also contributes to the sense that tourism is not overwhelming.

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Still, the restricted housing market should ensure a wider variety of homes, and the cost of homes should be part of future urban planning.

Monocle’s specific indexing methodology evaluates cities through several distinct lenses:

1. Hard Metrics vs. Soft Infrastructure

• The “Joy” Factor: Monocle explicitly measures how much joy a city brings to its residents. It tracks experiential indicators such as café culture, independent bookshops, and vibrant public swimming areas.
• Late-Night Vitality: The index rewards a city based on practical, experiential criteria. For example, the metrics assess whether a resident can easily get a good meal and a drink after 10:00 PM.
• Biking Culture: The city is widely credited for planning its urban spaces entirely around cyclists, green space, and sustainable mobility.

2. Urban Resilience and Ambition

• Learning From Mistakes: Monocle rewards Copenhagen for its unique urban ambition and its history of quickly addressing infrastructure missteps to drive constant improvement.
• Community and Safety: The city’s scoring relies heavily on a strong sense of community trust, exceptional public safety, and strong civic leadership.

Why Copenhagen Placed Second

Copenhagen has actually won the top spot more times than almost any other global city. In the 2026 survey, it was narrowly edged out for first place by Tokyo, which took the crown for its unmatched combination of massive scale, incredibly low crime, absolute public calm, and exceptional neighborhood stability. Lisbon was ranked #3, behind Copenhagen.

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In 2021, the study noted Copenhageners’ pride in how they ensure their city is a place where children can roam free, is accessible to those on lower incomes, and has efficient public transport, better air quality, and a harbor that’s clean enough to swim in.

Copenhagen: The World’s Second Most Livable City, Tor Kjolberg reporting
All images © Visit Copenhagen/Visit Denmark