Dublin ranked 34 in world's most attractive cities to live in
Dublin has been ranked the world's 34th most attractive city to live in.
The capital was voted the best city in Ireland and the UK in Mercer's 2015 Quality of Living rankings.
Vienna in Austria was awarded the top spot out of 230 cities around the world in the research.
Noel O'Connor from Mercer said there were many reasons why Dublin polled well.
"It has high standards in cost of living, low levels of pollution, a wide choice of consumer goods and good access to cultural activities (as well as) a relatively stable natural environment," he said.
However, Belfast fared less well - with Athens, it was the lowest-ranked European city, at number 63. Athens was named in 85th place.
The survey is aimed at helping employers judge how much to pay staff posted to different parts of the world.
Cities in western Europe dominate the top 10.
Vienna (1) was followed by Zurich (2), Munich (4), Düsseldorf (6), and Frankfurt (7). With Geneva and Copenhagen in 8th and 9th places, respectively, Western European cities took seven places in the top 10.
Canada and the United States continued to offer a high standard of living, according to the survey. Vancouver (5) topped the list for the region, followed by Toronto (15) and Ottawa (16). San Francisco (27), Boston (34), and Honolulu (36) are the highest-ranking US cities.
Mercer evaluates local living conditions in more than 440 cities it surveys worldwide. Living conditions are analysed according to 39 factors, grouped in 10 categories:
1. Political and social environment (political stability, crime, law enforcement, etc.)
2. Economic environment (currency exchange regulations, banking services)
3. Socio-cultural environment (media availability and censorship, limitations on personal freedom)
4. Medical and health considerations (medical supplies and services, infectious diseases, sewage, waste disposal, air pollution, etc)
5. Schools and education (standards and availability of international schools)
6.Public services and transportation (electricity, water, public transportation, traffic congestion, etc)
7. Recreation (restaurants, theatres, cinemas, sports and leisure, etc)
8. Consumer goods (availability of food/daily consumption items, cars, etc)
9.Housing (rental housing, household appliances, furniture, maintenance services)
10. Natural environment (climate, record of natural disasters)
