European cities fall in league table of most expensive cities in the world. According to Mercer consultants, Tokyo (Japan) has become the most expensive city in the world, ahead of Luanda (Angola). Tokyo was in second position last year, whilst Luanda was in first. Osaka in Japan is in third place (6th place in 2011) followed by Moscow in Russia (4th place; unchanged) and Geneva (Switzerland), the most expensive city in Europe according to this league table, in 5th place. The study compared the prices of 200 goods and services (accommodation, transport, clothing, leisure and food) in 214 cities in the world. Overall, Mercer observed European cities becoming less expensive, due to the spiralling cost of living in certain countries, such as in Africa (this continent now has 20 cities that are among the most expensive cities in the world) where quality services and safe accommodation are rare. This European fall in the league table is, above all, related to the fall in the value of local currencies and the euro, due to be public debt crisis. Paris has therefore fallen from 27th to 37th place (it is, however, still the most expensive city in the eurozone) but Milan, Rome, Stockholm, Vienna, Amsterdam, Helsinki, Prague, Brussels, Dublin, Oslo, Copenhagen, Madrid, Athens, Bratislava, Luxembourg, Barcelona, Frankfurt and Munich have fallen too. London was previously one of the most expensive cities in the world but has fallen seven places to 25th position. Asian cities are still among the most expensive in the world (as well as Tokyo and Osaka, there are also Singapore, 7th, Hong Kong, 9th, Nagoya, 10th), followed by the Brazilian cities of São Paulo (12th) and Rio de Janeiro (13th). Shanghai and Peking are in 16th and 17th place respectively and continue their upward mobility in the scale, due to local inflation and the increased value of the Yuan. Currency repercussions are also clearly apparent in the US and Australia, where cities in these countries continue to become more expensive. On the other hand, cities in the Middle East have lost ground. Two Pakistani cities are following in the rear (Islamabad and Karachi), where the cost of living is equivalent to only a third of current costs in Tokyo. (IL/transl.fl)