Sydney is Australia’s biggest city by population and the economic hub of the country. It accounts for about one-quarter of Australia’s GDP.

The city is home to some of Australia’s most iconic landmarks, including the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. … More

Its metropolitan area is set in one of the world’s most stunning harbors and is surrounded by national parks, bays, rivers and beaches. As a major business hub, Sydney is headquarters to almost 40% of the top 500 Australian companies, as well as the location of 20% of the country’s finance sector and 44% of its broadcasting industry. The median average annual income for residents is more than $55,000, with nearly one-fifth of its workforce making more than $2,000 a week.

In comparison with the rest of the Asia-Pacific region, both Australia and New Zealand far outweigh their counterparts in living standards and personal safety because of their continuous investment in infrastructure and public services.

Many Asian cities rank at the bottom of the survey due to social instability, political turmoil and natural disasters such as typhoons and tsunamis, according to the study. Only three Asian cities — Singapore at No. 25, Tokyo at 46 and Kobe, Japan, at 49 — make the top 50 places in the quality-of-life survey