The Economist has reported that Melbourne is the most liveable city in the world, but with rising crime rates, increasing congestion, and rising property prices, is the 'best-in-world' rating justified?

The Economist's report is sold to corporations to help them decide how much extra pay executives who move abroad should receive. Employees who are asked to live in a city with a poor liveability ranking might receive a large percentage of their salary on top of their usual pay in compensation.

The report mainly focuses on lifestyle factors for executive employees; it is not targeted at the full spectrum of society.

Housing affordability

The survey does not take housing affordability into consideration. With Melbourne's median property price up an astronomical 16 per cent to $9412,000 in the year to July 2017, according to CoreLogic, many Melbourne residents are hurting. Poor housing affordability has a real adverse impact on many of a city's inhabitants.

Rapid population growth

Rapid population growth is also putting pressure on the city. The 2016 Census revealed Melbourne added 1,859 people per week between 2001 and 2016. While some of that growth is coming from natural population growth, a large percentage is coming from migration.

Crime

Some say Melbourne is in the middle of a 'crime wave' with sharp increases in crime rates reported by the Crime Statistics Agency of Victoria. The rate of robberies increased nearly 20 per cent in the year to 30 June, according to the data, most notably for violent jewellery store robberies and mobile phone theft.

Source: ABC, Crime Statistics Agency of Victoria.

What are people saying?

Melbourne University urban geographer Kate Shaw posed a rhetorical question to The Age, “Liveable for whom?” She said The Economist's report ignores Melbourne’s growing economic divide between rich and poor.

Emma King from the Victorian Council of Social Services told The Age, "The report glossed over the realities of life in Melbourne for many."

Even Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle admitted that Melbourne has room to improve, particularly in areas such as crime and congestion.

"It's not that there's one area where we are so much better than other cities, it's because we are a great all rounder," he said.  

In conclusion

The recent Economist report gave Melbourne a score of 97.5 overall, or 95 for stability, 95.1 for culture and environment, and perfect 100 scores for healthcare, education and infrastructure. 

So while Melbourne is a highly liveable city, that doesn't mean it's without its problems.

Read more about Melbourne:

Melbourne the 'World's Most Liveable City' for seven years, while Sydney remains outside the top ten

Why is Melbourne's property market outpacing Sydney's?

Melbourne market for family homes near good schools is "very, very strong", says Andrew Boyce of Hodges