Cleanest Cities in the World 2026

/ Environment, Global Stats, Health / By

Clean cities play a major role in public health, environmental protection, tourism, and overall quality of life. Around the world, governments invest heavily in waste management, air quality control, water treatment, public hygiene, and green infrastructure to keep urban spaces healthy and attractive. The cleanest cities in the world are often models of smart planning, strong civic responsibility, and efficient public services. This ranking highlights leading global cities based on cleanliness score, giving readers a clear picture of which urban centers are setting the highest standards in cleanliness, sustainability, and livability.

Urban cleanliness matters not only for residents but also for investors, travelers, and policymakers. Clean environments reduce healthcare costs, attract skilled workers, improve productivity, and strengthen city branding. As cities grow rapidly, maintaining cleanliness becomes more challenging and more important than ever.

Cleanliness rankings usually combine several measurable indicators such as air quality, waste recycling efficiency, street cleanliness, water quality, sanitation coverage, and environmental policies. Some assessments also consider citizen behavior, public awareness, and enforcement of regulations. Modern cities increasingly use smart sensors, automated waste systems, electric public transport, and digital monitoring to improve urban hygiene. Geography also plays a role, as coastal winds, population density, and climate affect pollution levels and maintenance requirements. Across regions, Northern Europe, East Asia, and parts of Oceania consistently perform well due to strong governance and long-term sustainability investments.

Top 10 Cleanest Cities in the World 2026

  1. Singapore: 90.5
  2. Helsinki: 89.4
  3. Zurich: 88.7
  4. Vienna: 88.2
  5. Copenhagen: 88.0
  6. Tokyo: 87.6
  7. Stockholm: 86.8
  8. Munich: 86.5
  9. Reykjavik: 85.2
  10. Wellington: 84.6

The top 10 rankings show a strong concentration of cities from Europe and Asia, reflecting long-term investments in environmental management and urban planning. Singapore leads the list with the highest cleanliness score, driven by strict regulations, efficient waste systems, and strong public discipline. Helsinki, Zurich, Vienna, and Copenhagen follow closely, showing how Nordic and Central European cities maintain consistently high urban hygiene standards. Tokyo’s presence highlights how dense megacities can still achieve excellent cleanliness through advanced infrastructure and cultural habits. Reykjavik and Wellington demonstrate how smaller cities with strong environmental policies can compete with global metropolitan centers.

Full Data Table

# City Country Cleanliness Score
1 Singapore Singapore 90.5
2 Helsinki Finland 89.4
3 Zurich Switzerland 88.7
4 Vienna Austria 88.2
5 Copenhagen Denmark 88
6 Tokyo Japan 87.6
7 Stockholm Sweden 86.8
8 Munich Germany 86.5
9 Reykjavik Iceland 85.2
10 Wellington New Zealand 84.6
11 Vancouver Canada 84
12 Oslo Norway 83.7
13 Calgary Canada 83.4
14 Adelaide Australia 83.1
15 Melbourne Australia 82.8
16 Brisbane Australia 82.4
17 Bern Switzerland 82
18 Luxembourg City Luxembourg 81.7
19 Hamburg Germany 81.3
20 Amsterdam Netherlands 80.9
21 Geneva Switzerland 80.6
22 Sydney Australia 80.3
23 Auckland New Zealand 80
24 Toronto Canada 79.7
25 Berlin Germany 79.3
26 Frankfurt Germany 79
27 Taipei Taiwan 78.6
28 Seoul South Korea 78.2
29 Hong Kong China 77.9
30 Paris France 77.5
31 Barcelona Spain 77.1
32 Madrid Spain 76.8
33 Milan Italy 76.4
34 Rome Italy 76
35 Lisbon Portugal 75.7
36 Prague Czech Republic 75.3
37 Salzburg Austria 75
38 Tallinn Estonia 74.6
39 Ljubljana Slovenia 74.2
40 Riga Latvia 73.9
41 Basel Switzerland 73.5
42 Bruges Belgium 73.1
43 Ghent Belgium 72.8
44 Graz Austria 72.4
45 Innsbruck Austria 72
46 Nuremberg Germany 71.6
47 Stuttgart Germany 71.2
48 Yokohama Japan 70.9
49 Kobe Japan 70.5
50 Fukuoka Japan 70.1

Key Points

  • European cities dominate the rankings, especially in Northern and Central Europe.
  • Asian cities perform strongly, with Singapore and Tokyo leading regional performance.
  • Cleanliness scores gradually decline after the top 20, showing tighter competition among mid-ranked cities.
  • Countries with strong environmental regulations tend to have multiple cities in the top 50.
  • Smaller cities like Reykjavik and Salzburg perform well despite lower population sizes.
  • Canada and Australia each contribute multiple high-ranking cities.
  • Japanese cities show consistent performance across multiple urban centers.
  • Western European cities maintain stable cleanliness levels across different population densities.

The cleanest cities in the world demonstrate how policy consistency, public awareness, and modern infrastructure can shape healthier urban environments. As climate pressures increase and populations expand, maintaining cleanliness will become an even greater challenge for city authorities. Cities that invest in renewable energy, smart waste systems, and sustainable transport are likely to rise further in future rankings. For residents, businesses, and travelers alike, urban cleanliness remains a powerful indicator of livability, safety, and long-term resilience. These rankings provide valuable insight into how cities worldwide are adapting to meet the growing demand for clean, sustainable urban living.

Related Articles

Sources

Request Data

Please enter your email address to receive the data sheet.