Taipei is climbing in global livability rankings thanks to its high-quality health care and transportation infrastructure, spotlighting the city’s reputation as an increasingly attractive destination for business travelers and expatriates, according to a BBC travel article published Sept. 10.
The municipality was one of five locations selected by the British news organization as performing better in the London-based Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Livability Index released in August. It rose two spots to 58th place in the rankings based on five categories: stability, health care, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.
Describing the city as an “East Asian hub,” the BBC report praised the connectivity of the capital’s metro system, which extends as far as the country’s main international airport. The Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport mass rapid transit service is the longest MRT line in the country at 53 km.
The article also quoted overseas residents who said they appreciated the friendliness of the people, the diversity of education options, and the affordability and high standard of health care available to both locals and expats. Corporate adviser Shannon Watson told the media organization: “The health care system is amazing—and coming from a Canadian with universal health care, that means something.”
Launched in 1995, Taiwan’s National Health Insurance system is a compulsory single-payer social insurance plan covering virtually every citizen and foreign resident in Taiwan. It offers convenient access to inpatient and outpatient services, dental care, prescription medications and traditional Chinese treatments.
The other four cities selected by the BBC were Auckland in New Zealand; Budapest in Hungary; Honolulu in the U.S.; and Kuwait City in Kuwait. (CPY-E)
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