Paris Ranks 11th Among Best Cities Globally for Raising a Family

Sophie LaurentMarch 10, 20262 Mins read4

Summarize:

Paris, March 10, 2026 – The French capital, Paris, has secured the 11th position in a new global report assessing the best cities for raising a family. This ranking solidifies Paris’s standing as a robust destination for young parents, attributed to its extensive cultural scene, abundant activities for children, and a quality of life that, despite its well-known challenges, continues to hold significant appeal.

Comprehensive Study Reveals Paris’s Strengths for Families

The decision of where to raise a family extends beyond picturesque scenery; it encompasses crucial factors such as safety, parental leave policies, cost of living, and available support systems. While rural settings often evoke images of outdoor play, urban environments promise a more vibrant, diverse, and opportunity-rich upbringing. The key question remains: which cities truly offer the complete package for young families?

A new report by Compare the Market AU sought to answer this question by evaluating 50 cities against nine weighted criteria to assign an overall score. These criteria included: safety, the World Happiness Score, the number of child-friendly activities, monthly cost of living, national expenditure on family aid, statutory parental leave duration, national childhood vaccination rates, education budgets, and the amount of green space per inhabitant. This comprehensive approach ensured a thorough assessment.

Brisbane Leads, Australian Cities Dominate Top Ranks

According to the study, Brisbane, Australia, emerged as the top city globally for raising a family, achieving an overall score of 6.457. The capital of Queensland excelled particularly in safety, national childhood vaccination rates, and its impressive 84.89 units of green space per inhabitant.

Australia’s strong performance extended beyond Brisbane, with Sydney, Perth, and Melbourne also securing the fifth, sixth, and seventh positions, respectively. New Zealand also featured prominently in the top 20, with Auckland and Wellington making the cut. In Europe, London achieved the highest ranking, largely due to its extensive array of family-friendly activities. Helsinki claimed the fourth spot, bolstered by its excellent national expenditure on education, a criterion only surpassed by Stockholm.

Paris: A European Leader for Family Life

Paris’s 11th-place ranking, positioned just behind Seoul and ahead of New Delhi, makes it one of the leading European cities for raising a family. This presence in the top 20 underscores that the capital offers more than just its perceived high cost of living or fast-paced environment. With its green spaces, rich cultural offerings, robust infrastructure, and numerous activities designed for children, Paris presents compelling advantages for young parents. While the city can be demanding, it also excels at keeping children engaged and entertained.