Zurich tops list of best places to live, Baghdad last

In Africa, Cape Town, at No. 80, was ranked as the city with the best quality of life.

The cities with the lowest quality of living were listed as Ndjamena, Chad at No. 211, then Khartoum, Sudan; Brazzaville, the Congo Republic and Bangui, the Central African Republic. Baghdad retained its position at the bottom of the table, ranked No. 215.

Mercer said the survey, which is conducted to help governments and companies place employees on international assignments, has another list identifying cities with the highest personal safety ranking based on internal stability, crime, law enforcement and relationships with other nations.

Luxembourg topped this list followed by Bern, Geneva, Helsinki and Zurich which were all equally placed at No. 2.

Baghdad again came last as the world's least safe city along with Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Karachi in Pakistan, Nairobi in Kenya, and Bangui.

Mercer researcher Parakatil said it was key for businesses trying to set up in new markets to look at local costs and the quality of living to encourage expatriate staff to move there.

"Personal and family safety is of paramount importance when employees consider opportunities overseas. Cities that are, or are perceived as, unsafe may experience difficulties in attracting the best people and skills," Parakatil said in a statement.