Australian cities rank high amongst the world's best cities to live in, according to an annual appraisal of the most liveable cities in the world for expatriates.
The Mercer 2009 Worldwide Quality Of Living Survey ranked Sydney in the top ten, ahead of Melbourne and Perth at 18 and 21 respectively. Adelaide and Brisbane both ranked at 30 and 34 respectively.
Auckland (4) retained its position as the highest-ranking city for quality of living in the Asia Pacific region. New Zealand's capital city, Wellington, fell just behind Sydney in 12th position.
Mercer's Quality of Living ranking covers 215 cities and is conducted to help governments and major companies place employees on international assignments. Cities are ranked against New York as the base city with an index score of 100.
Vienna was seen as the most liveable city in the world for expatriates. Baghdad ranked last, due to its "lack of security and stability" continuing to have a large impact on quality of living.
This year's ranking also identifies the cities with the best infrastructure based on electricity supply, water availability, telephone and mail services, public transport provision, traffic congestion and the range of international flights from local airports.
As far as infrastructure goes, Singapore topped the list, followed by Munich and Copenhagen. Sydney again was way ahead of the other Australian capital cities, ranked at 11 - below London (8) but above Paris (13).
Melbourne was ranked at 35, while Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth all fell just below on 38.
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