Jakarta trails Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Manila in terms of the quality of living, but is ahead of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, a survey of 215 cities worldwide revealed Monday.

The Quality of Living survey, conducted by global consulting firm Mercer, ranked each city on a points system. Cities were compared to New York City, with an index score of 100.

This year, the best city in terms of quality of living was Zurich with a score of 108, while the worst was Baghdad with 13.5.

Jakarta scored 63.7 and ranked at 146, down from 142 last year with the same score.

"Falling four spots from last year's ranking, Jakarta nevertheless maintains its score in the 2008 Quality of Living index," Mutiarawaty Thaher, a business leader at Mercer Indonesia, said in a press release.

"Jakarta boasts a large bustling business district, numerous shopping centers, entertainment options and luxurious apartments. However, these positive factors may be nullified by its undeveloped public transportation system and constant traffic problems, as well as high levels of air pollution and the persistent challenge of street criminals," she said.

Singapore ranked 32nd with a score of 102.9, making it the highest-ranking city in Southeast Asia. Kuala Lumpur was the next highest at 75 with a score of 90.2.

In Asia, Singapore still held the top position with Tokyo (rank 35, score 102.2) and Yokohama (rank 38, score 101.6) following in second and third places.

Overall, European cities topped the annual worldwide quality of living rankings.

The survey also identified cities with the highest personal safety ranking based on internal stability, crime, effectiveness of law enforcement and relationships with other countries.

Luxembourg topped the list, followed by Bern, Geneva, Helsinki and Zurich, all ranked second with identical scores.

In Asia, Singapore once again took number one spot for personal safety, followed by several Japanese cities and Hong Kong.

Among Southeast Asian cities, Jakarta scored lowest in personal safety, coming in at 189 with a score of 43.9. Manila was the second worst in the region, in 178th spot with a score of 51.5.

The lowest-ranking city in terms of personal safety was Baghdad with a score of 3.8.

Data for the survey was collected between September and November 2007. The Mercer database contains information on more than 350 cities. Only 215 cities were studied in the survey because it compared with the previous year's data.

Mercer's study is based on detailed assessments and evaluations of 39 key quality of living determinants such as political stability, crime, law enforcement, banking services, censorship, limitations on personal freedom, medical supplies and services, infectious diseases, sewage, standard and availability of international schools, public transportation, traffic congestion, restaurants, housing and natural disasters.

Popular

Volcano erupts in North Sulawesi, hundreds evacuated

Dubai roads, airport reel from floods after record rains

Ramadan boosts consumer confidence, retail sales