Once again, we've been busy applying the annual Monocle metrics test to cities across the globe. Here are the results.

Red tape and poor infrastructure are counterbalanced by cultural vibrancy and a 24-hour lifestyle.

The fastest flying times from Europe to Asia’s hubs make Helsinki more than Nokia-town.

For our Quality-of-Life issue, Monocle has been busy researching the world’s top cities. And with a re-jig of the way each urban centre is assessed, this year’s top 25 promises some surprises.

Monocle’s researchers have spent the past months putting the world’s leading cities to the test to find the best places for you to make your base. Last year Copenhagen was the winner of our survey but in 2009 the award goes…

We've been doing our homework and crunching the numbers for our survey of the top 25 liveable cities, but we know it's not just about statistics.

Which countries get their way in the world without having to resort to military might? Who are the soft power leaders who know the value of well-placed aid or a good pop star? Over the following pages we name the top 25…

Great cities adapt and change like their residents. The process of finding a favourite has been a global undertaking that confirmed and renewed our love of exciting urban centres. The following make up Monocle’s top 25.