Islamabad has ranked ahead of several major international cities in Numbeo’s 2026 Mid-Year Quality of Life Index, placing Pakistan’s capital above London, Paris and New York.
According to the index, Islamabad received a score of 140.7 points, outperforming Paris, which scored 138.8 points. New York followed with 137.3 points, while London recorded 135.8 points.
The Pakistani capital also ranked ahead of Kuala Lumpur, Budapest and Johannesburg, highlighting its position among the cities assessed in the global comparison.
The Quality of Life Index evaluates various factors that can influence residents’ everyday experiences, including purchasing power, safety, healthcare, cost of living, pollution, traffic and housing affordability. These indicators provide a broader picture of the conditions people may experience while living in different cities.
However, the rankings should be interpreted with some caution. Numbeo relies heavily on user-contributed information and reported perceptions, rather than exclusively on official government statistics. As a result, its findings may not fully reflect every aspect of life in the cities included in the index.
Islamabad’s score nevertheless places it ahead of several well-known global urban centres in this particular mid-year assessment. The comparison offers an international perspective on the Pakistani capital, although individual living conditions can vary depending on income, neighbourhood and access to public services.
