The 11 cities with the best quality of life in the world

Stockholm, Sweden — The capital is considered one of the best places in the world for a good quality of living due to its balance of work, life, safety, and environmental issues.

Hamburg, Germany — The major port city in northern Germany is the second largest of its kind in the country. It has become a centre for media and industry and is home to the world's second oldest bank: Berenberg Bank.

Ottawa, Canada — This city is considered the most educated in Canada with its wealth of post-secondary, research, and cultural institutions. It also has low unemployment and is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Toronto, Canada — Home to the iconic CN Tower, Toronto is Canada's financial capital. It is also home to some of Canada's five largest banks. It is growing its entertainment scene and hosts the famous Toronto Film Festival every year.

Melbourne, Australia — The coastal capital is considered one of the best places in the world for education, healthcare, research, and development. Its thriving tourism and entertainment sectors also keep the city wealthy.

Wellington, New Zealand — The Kiwi city is high up on the list and has sublime weather. It is the country's political centre and is the second most populous area in New Zealand.

Bern, Switzerland — The city is considered by Mercer to be the second safest in the world. It's rich in agriculture as well as traditional industry, and also has a low unemployment rate, making the region attractive to live in. Its growing tech sector is also drawing in new talent.

Berlin, Germany — The country's capital is counted as having an excellent mix of quality of life — with good employment opportunities, a high standard of housing, good personal safety, and tonnes of recreational activities.

Amsterdam, Netherlands — It is one of the financial centres of Europe and also famous for its high standard of living and is touted as a favourite for companies to relocate after Brexit. The cosmopolitan city combines modern and urban life with relaxed attitudes toward recreation and leisure.

Sydney, Australia — The city represents 7% of the country's economy, with finance and financial services the largest employer with 22% of all workers. The natural environment, weather, and growing cultural scene boosts Sydney up the list.

Basel, Switzerland — The small city of just around 165,000 people is located in the border triangle between Germany, France and Switzerland, and has beautiful surroundings and a strong economy.