Finland’s capital has been named the world’s second safest city by human resources consulting firm Mercer.

The rankings assessed 230 cities worldwide, taking into account internal stability, crime levels, performance of local law enforcement and relationship with other countries. Helsinki shared second place with the Swiss cities of Bern and Zurich. Luxembourg was ranked first. Stockholm shared sixth place with Geneva.

“Safety, in particular, is a key consideration for multinational companies when sending expatriate workers abroad, both because it raises concerns about the personal safety of the expat and their family and because it has a significant impact on the cost of global compensation programmes,” read a press release from the firm.

At the other end of the scale were Baghdad and Damascus.

The ranking formed part of Mercer’s 18th global Quality of Living survey. Overall, Helsinki was ranked 30th, with Vienna, Zurich and Auckland taking the top three positions.

Mercer’s survey is conducted annually with the purpose of enabling multinational companies and other employers to compensate employees fairly when placing them on international assignments.

Mercer's rankings in „Quality of Living survey”: www.imercer.com

Source: www.goodnewsfinland.com
Photo: Helsinki Tourist Board