Copenhagen is rated the best city in the world for its quality of life for the fourth time, beating Zurich, Helsinki and Tokyo

The Danish capital took the top prize for the fourth time since it started in 2007
Zurich, Helsinki, Stockholm and Tokyo rounded out the top five best cities
The cities are ranked on infrastructure, culture, public projects and economies

Published: 08:01 BST, 24 June 2021 | Updated: 15:28 BST, 24 June 2021

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Copenhagen has been named the best city in the world for its quality of life for the fourth time by Monocle magazine.

Zurich, Helsinki, Stockholm and Tokyo rounded out the top five as Monocle resumed its rankings after a one-year hiatus as the Covid-19 pandemic struck.

Copenhagen is regularly featured in the media outlet's top cities since its survey began in 2007.

Copenhagen has been named the best city in the world for its quality of life for the fourth time by Monocle magazine

'Copenhagen is one of those cities where there is a real ambition to deliver a better quality of life for everyone,' said Monocle's editor in chief, Andrew Tuck.

'The ambitions around creating a cleaner environment are best in class and the city is reaping the rewards of years of urban investment.'

This year's report sought to gauge which cities have used the past months 'to build back better; defend their economies, cultural scenes and high streets; and to press ahead with projects to ensure that transport works and parks are tended but also that a sense of civic pride is promoted,' it said.

It also put greater emphasis on civic leadership, good housing policies and programmes to support entrepreneurs.

Copenhagen is regularly featured in the media outlet's top cities since its survey began in 2007

'It was not exactly easy to do this year but we tried our best,' editorial director Tyler Brûlé said.

He noted that Monocle had applied classic metrics like safety, infrastructure, and ease of opening business.

The magazine did not announce a winner last year due to the pandemic but the year before it was awarded to Zurich, which was followed by Tokyo, Munich, Copenhagen and Vienna in the top five.