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The whole idea of "liveability index" is strange to me. Different people have different needs to live and different places have different cultures. This is biased towards the European and generally western style of living which although might be preferable to most people does not mean it's preferable to all.

In addition to there being probably hundreds of variables that are subconscious and/or can't be accounted for with studies.

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Different standards, too. I've become used to US/Canada restaurant standards for food when I go out to eat. Everytime I leave the country I'm thoroughly impressed by the quality and taste. Still, I'll be somewhere like Osaka and read reviews online. Locals will rate a place 3 stars and stay they could make it at home, it's nothing special. Place that outclass 90% of US restaurants averaging 3.5 stars, while at home there's pig slop getting rates 4.8.

Cultural differences impact what a person believes is the correct answer.

Even something as simple as "I hate hearing french" automatically disqualifies all of France and some other places.

I'm guessing The Economist has some idea of who reads their magazine and so this article is likely written with a specific audience in mind.

Agree. If you consider Vancouver as livable then you’re already targeting the 1%. The rest of us simply can’t afford to live there.

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