According to the Global Liveability Index for 2018, which city was ranked the most liveable city in the world?

Introduction / Context:
The Global Liveability Index, often associated with the Economist Intelligence Unit, ranks cities around the world based on factors such as stability, healthcare, culture, environment, education, and infrastructure. These rankings frequently appear in general knowledge and current affairs questions. In 2018, there was a significant change at the top of the index, as a European city overtook a long standing leader. This question asks you to recall which city achieved the number one position as the most liveable city in the world in that year.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The index mentioned is the Global Liveability Index for 2018.
• The options list Melbourne, Vienna, Damascus, and Dhaka.
• We assume that you have basic awareness of major news about city rankings around that time.
• Only one of the listed cities occupied the top spot in the 2018 ranking.

Concept / Approach:
For several years, Melbourne in Australia had been ranked as the most liveable city. However, in 2018, Vienna, the capital of Austria, took the top position. The approach is to remember this widely discussed change and to connect the year 2018 with Vienna move to number one. The other cities listed are known for different reasons and do not appear near the top in standard liveability rankings, making them easier to eliminate if you recall basic world geography and economic conditions.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Global Liveability Index evaluates cities on quality of life indicators such as stability, healthcare, culture, education, and infrastructure. Step 2: Remember that Melbourne had previously dominated the top spot for several years. Step 3: Focus on the specific year given, 2018, which is known for Vienna taking over the number one ranking. Step 4: Identify Vienna in the options as a European capital with a strong reputation for culture, safety, and infrastructure. Step 5: Note that Damascus and Dhaka have faced challenges related to conflict, pollution, and infrastructure that place them low on liveability scores. Step 6: Recognise that Melbourne, while very highly ranked, was pushed to second place by Vienna in 2018. Step 7: Conclude that the correct answer is Vienna.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by remembering headlines from 2018 that highlighted the fact that Vienna overtook Melbourne to become the most liveable city. These news items often mentioned that Vienna scored highly on stability, public services, culture, and transportation. Many current affairs compilations and year end reviews for 2018 also emphasised this change in ranking. If you recall such coverage, it reinforces your choice of Vienna as the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Melbourne: This city topped the index for several years in a row but slipped to second place in 2018, so it is not correct for that specific year.
Damascus: Due to conflict and instability, Damascus ranks very low on safety and liveability, making it far from the top of the index.
Dhaka: Dhaka faces challenges related to congestion, pollution, and infrastructure, which result in low liveability scores, so it is not near the top of the rankings.

Common Pitfalls:
The main pitfall is remembering Melbourne long history at the top and choosing it out of habit, without paying attention to the year specified in the question. Another mistake is ignoring broader world conditions and not realising that cities experiencing conflict or severe infrastructure issues are unlikely to rank first on a liveability index. To avoid such errors, always read the year or time frame mentioned and think about any well known changes that occurred during that period.

Final Answer:
In 2018, the Global Liveability Index ranked Vienna as the most liveable city in the world.