Dublin has been ranked eighth in the EU and 27th in the world for overall quality of life, in a global survey by Mercer Human Resource Consulting.

The survey ranked Dublin third in the EU and 20th in the world for health and sanitation.

It was conducted to assist governments and major companies in placing employees on international assignments.

Zurich scored highest for overall quality of living, while Baghdad came last. Calgary in Canada ranked highest for health and sanitation, while Baku in Azerbaijan came lowest.

The latter survey scored cities for the quality and availability of hospital and medical supplies and their levels of air pollution and infectious diseases.

Waste and sewerage systems, water and the presence of certain animals and insects were also taken into account.

Cities were scored against New York, which was given an index score of 100. Dublin scored 122.9 for health and sanitation and 103.3 for overall quality of living.

London ranked 11th in the EU and 39th in the world for overall quality of living, while for health and sanitation, it ranked 12th in the EU and 63rd in the world.

"Companies managing a global workforce must take into account a range of factors when structuring their remuneration packages for their expatriate employees," said Yvonne Sonsino, principal at Mercer.

Irene Goldrick of Mercer Ireland said the results were very encouraging for Dublin.