February 15, 2026
Parents in Brisbane enjoy raising children in the world’s top family-friendly city, surpassing Sydney and Melbourne in recent rankings.
Global Family City Rankings
New analysis of green spaces per capita and safety levels across 50 major cities places Brisbane at the top with a score of 6.4 out of 10. Sydney secures fifth place, while Melbourne ranks seventh. The rest of the top five includes London, Auckland, and Helsinki.
Abundant Green Spaces Boost Brisbane’s Appeal
Brisbane leads with 84.89 parks and playgrounds per 100,000 residents, far exceeding Sydney’s 7.62, Melbourne’s 2.73, and London’s 30.49. James McCay of Compare the Market highlights: “Brisbane’s many parks and playgrounds, including the beautiful South Bank precinct, Roma Street Parklands and the Botanic Gardens (of which the city has two), are a highlight and offer families with children wonderful outdoor play time.”
Safety and Family Activities
In safety metrics, drawn from resident polls and police crime reports, Brisbane scores 90, second only to Helsinki’s 95. However, the city offers fewer child-focused activities at 107, compared to Sydney’s 246 and Melbourne’s 166.
Past Recognitions for Brisbane
This latest honor adds to Brisbane’s reputation, previously named among the world’s 50 most extraordinary destinations, one of the top 20 friendliest cities, and holder of the world’s second-best cost of living.
