Manila, Philippines, and Kolkata, India, are among the most stressed cities globally, receiving scores of 7.34 and 6.89 out of 10, respectively. A new global ranking by Remitly for 2025 highlights which cities offer a more relaxed pace of living and those with higher daily pressures. The ranking considers factors such as commute times, cost of living, healthcare, safety, and pollution.
New York is listed as one of the most stressful cities, with a cost-of-living index of 100, one of the world’s highest. Although it has excellent healthcare and cleaner air, financial strain remains significant due to congestion, high crime levels, and pollution.
Dublin faces long commutes averaging 32 minutes per 10km. Housing costs continue to rise, with a house-price-to-income ratio at around 111, which is 11% above its long-term average. In Mexico City, congested roads and a crime index of 66.8 significantly contribute to residents’ stress.
Conversely, some cities provide a more peaceful living experience. Eindhoven, the least stressed city, scored 2.34. Residents have short commutes of under 15 minutes for 10km and benefit from strong healthcare services.
Utrecht also offers low stress levels, scoring 2.67, while Canberra in Australia provides good air quality and manageable living costs, though slightly higher crime rates impact its ranking. This ranking reflects the diverse living conditions worldwide, highlighting both challenges and solutions for urban life.
Vocabulary List:
- Stressed /strɛst/ (adjective): Experiencing mental or emotional strain or tension.
- Congestion /kənˈdʒɛs.tʃən/ (noun): The state of being overcrowded or blocked.
- Pollution /pəˈluː.ʃən/ (noun): The presence of harmful substances in the environment.
- Healthcare /ˈhɛlθˌkɛr/ (noun): The organized provision of medical care to individuals or a community.
- Cost of living /kɔst ʌv ˈlɪv.ɪŋ/ (noun): The level of prices relating to a range of everyday items.
- Commute /kəˈmjuːt/ (verb): To travel some distance between one’s home and place of work on a regular basis.
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