Top 40 Cities with the Worst Quality of Life

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Top 40 Cities with the Worst Quality of Life in 2025

1. Lagos, Nigeria
Lagos continues to hold the spot as the city with the most challenging living conditions. Overpopulation, frequent electricity outages, and inadequate infrastructure significantly impact residents’ daily lives. The city faces high rates of pollution, traffic congestion, and safety concerns, making it difficult for families to thrive.

2. Tehran, Iran
Tehran’s air pollution is among the worst globally, with smog blanketing the city most days of the year. The economy’s struggles, coupled with limited healthcare facilities, compound the difficulties residents face. Public safety also remains a concern amid ongoing political tensions.

3. Manila, Philippines
Despite its vibrant culture, Manila suffers from unreliable public services, high traffic congestion, and frequent flooding. Cost of living is rising rapidly, often outpacing wages, leaving many residents in poverty or struggling to meet basic needs.

4. Dhaka, Bangladesh
Dhaka’s densely populated streets are plagued by pollution, poor sanitation, and frequent power outages. Healthcare facilities are overwhelmed, and the city’s infrastructure struggles to keep pace with population growth, leading to a subpar quality of life for many.

5. Colombo, Sri Lanka
Economic instability, frequent power outages, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure diminish Colombo’s livability. The city also faces environmental issues such as waste management problems and air pollution.

6. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
While famous for its beaches, Rio faces crime, violence, and economic disparity. Infrastructure deficiencies and public safety concerns impact daily routines, coupled with high living costs and traffic congestion.

7. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Rapid urbanization has led to traffic chaos, pollution, and cramped living spaces. Healthcare and education access are inconsistent for lower-income residents, contributing to a lower quality of life.

8. Beirut, Lebanon
Economic collapse, political unrest, and a struggling healthcare system leave Beirut residents anxious about safety and stability. Power outages and shortages of basic supplies further hamper daily life.

9. Cairo, Egypt
Overpopulation, pollution, and traffic jams dominate Cairo’s urban landscape. Limited healthcare resources and high pollution levels severely affect public health and overall well-being.

10. Kathmandu, Nepal
Earthquake risks, pollution, and inadequate sanitation compromise Kathmandu’s living standards. The city’s infrastructure struggles to meet the needs of its expanding population, leading to widespread dissatisfaction.

11. São Paulo, Brazil
Traffic congestion and high housing costs make São Paulo one of the most difficult cities to live in. Income inequality worsens access to healthcare and education, further impacting residents’ quality of life.

12. Lima, Peru
Lima faces severe air pollution, traffic issues, and sanitation problems. Economic volatility and housing costs create additional pressures on residents, especially in lower-income neighborhoods.

13. Karachi, Pakistan
Power shortages, pollution, and crime dominate Karachi’s environment. Rapid urban sprawl has strained municipal services, making daily life precarious for many residents.

14. Jakarta, Indonesia
Jakarta battles frequent flooding, pollution, and traffic congestion. Infrastructure struggles to keep up with a booming population, impacting residents’ health and safety.

15. Bangkok, Thailand
Persistent air pollution, traffic jams, and high living expenses define Bangkok. Urban heat and overpopulation contribute to a stressful environment for its inhabitants.

16. Mexico City, Mexico
Chronic air pollution, traffic congestion, and high housing costs make Mexico City difficult to navigate. Economic disparities also lead to unequal access to healthcare and education.

17. Bogotá, Colombia
Bogotá’s air quality issues, traffic woes, and safety concerns dampen its livability index. Infrastructure projects are ongoing but haven’t fully mitigated urban challenges.

18. Mumbai, India
Overpopulated and with inadequate sanitation, Mumbai struggles with pollution and high living costs. Healthcare access remains uneven, especially for the impoverished.

19. Novosibirsk, Russia
Cold climate, economic instability, and limited healthcare infrastructure pose challenges for Novosibirsk residents, especially during long winters.

20. Almaty, Kazakhstan
Air pollution from vehicle emissions and industrial activity, combined with harsh weather, impacts residents’ health and quality of life.

21. Tirana, Albania
Economic hardships, insufficient healthcare infrastructure, and poor urban planning contribute to Tirana’s ranking. Waste management issues and traffic congestion are persistent problems.

22. Yekaterinburg, Russia
Industrial pollution, cold temperatures, and fluctuating employment opportunities mark Yekaterinburg’s living conditions.

23. Nairobi, Kenya
Nairobi faces challenges with sanitation, infrastructure, and crime. Economic inequality and rapid urban growth strain municipal services.

24. Lahore, Pakistan
Air quality issues, traffic congestion, and healthcare shortages make Lahore a difficult place to settle comfortably for many residents.

25. Hanoi, Vietnam
Traffic congestion, pollution, and rising living costs impact Hanoi’s residents, especially in peripheral neighborhoods with less infrastructure.

26. Santiago, Chile
Environmental concerns, including air pollution and water shortages, coupled with economic instability, influence Santiago’s quality of life.

27. Kyiv, Ukraine
Ongoing conflict, damaged infrastructure, and economic hardship affect Kyiv’s living standards and safety.

28. Buenos Aires, Argentina
High inflation, economic instability, and infrastructure deficiencies contribute to the city’s challenging environment.

29. Kolkata, India
Overcrowding, sanitation problems, and poor air quality impact Kolkata’s residents, few of whom experience consistent access to quality healthcare.

30. Skopje, North Macedonia
Economic challenges and infrastructure issues, including unreliable public services, lower Skopje’s livability.

31. Odesa, Ukraine
Conflict and aging infrastructure hamper Odesa’s development, affecting residents’ safety and essential services.

32. Istanbul, Turkey
Overpopulation, traffic jams, and economic risks present daily hurdles for Istanbul’s diverse population.

33. Baku, Azerbaijan
Economic disparities and environmental concerns from industrial activity impact Baku’s overall livability.

34. Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Fighting high crime rates, inadequate healthcare, and infrastructure issues make Belo Horizonte a tough place to live.

35. Belgrade, Serbia
Political unrest, economic difficulties, and aging infrastructure contribute to Belgrade’s low scores.

36. Shanghai, China
Rapid urban expansion has led to pollution and overcrowding, challenging residents’ well-being despite economic opportunities.

37. Thessaloniki, Greece
Economic austerity measures, unemployment, and infrastructure limitations hinder daily life.

38. Saint Petersburg, Russia
Cold climate, economic instability, and aging infrastructure are key issues impacting Saint Petersburg residents.

39. Delhi, India
Notorious for its pollution levels, Delhi also faces challenges related to traffic, sanitation, and healthcare access.

40. Quito, Ecuador
High altitude, pollution, and economic uncertainties combine to reduce quality of life for many residents.

Why These Cities Rank Low
These urban areas face a combination of serious problems including high pollution levels, inadequate healthcare systems, unsafe environments, long and stressful commutes, weak purchasing power, soaring living costs, unaffordable housing, and challenging climates. Despite their unique cultures and histories, these factors collectively diminish the overall quality of life for their inhabitants.

Source: Numbeo, 2024 Mid-Year Data, Updated 2025