Joburg tops the SA list in global ‘Best Cities to Raise a Family’ index.

If you’ve ever tried to navigate a stroller through a Jozi mall or spent a Saturday morning at the Johannesburg Zoo, you know that raising a family in this city is a unique adventure. Now, there’s some data to back up the "hustle."

A new study by Compare the Market AU has ranked 50 global cities to find the best places to raise a family in 2026. While European and Australian cities like Brisbane and Luxembourg dominated the leaderboard, Johannesburg emerged as the highest-ranking city in South Africa, ranking 41st globally.

How Jozi stacked up

The index looked at nine key categories, including safety, happiness, cost of living, and the number of family-friendly attractions.

Johannesburg beat out local rivals Cape Town (46th) and Durban (49th) to take the domestic crown. A major factor in Jozi’s favour remains its relative affordability and its surprisingly high Happiness Score of 5.213/10, which tied with its sister cities but helped push Joburg ahead when combined with other infrastructure metrics.

Green spaces and big adventures

While the city often gets a bad rap for its walkability (a separate Compare the Market study recently labelled it one of the world's least walkable cities), the family index highlights what we locals already know: when we do get outside, we do it right.

From the world-class exhibits at the Johannesburg Zoo to the sprawling lawns of Emmarentia Dam and the educational wonders of the Cradle of Humankind, the City of Gold offers a density of family-oriented activities that many global cities struggle to match.

The challenges

It’s not all sunshine and braais, though. The study noted that South African cities, including Johannesburg, continue to face uphill battles regarding safety scores and public transport infrastructure compared to European counterparts. However, for those of us who call Joburg home, the city’s resilient spirit, vibrant culture, and community-driven neighbourhoods continue to make it a top choice for the next generation.

Looking for things to do with the kids this weekend? Check out our guide to the 20 best things to do with kids during the school holidays in Johannesburg

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