Every year, the Happy Cities Index publishes a report ranking the happiest cities in the world. Thus, according to the latest figures, Copenhagen is ranked first, while New York is ranked 17th.
The index, administered by the London-based Institute for Quality of Life, ranks 200 cities using 82 indicators across six broad categories, including governance, environment, economy, mobility and citizens, which includes indicators such as education and access to cultural institutions. The sixth category, which is new to the list in 2025, is around health.
Based on these, the top 30 happiest cities are listed in regions around the world, including Europe, Asia, North America and the South Pacific.
Conde Nast Traveler says: “There is no single perfect place to live that guarantees happiness for all its inhabitants,” the report says. “However, some cities are implementing urban policies with remarkable wisdom, constantly analyzing their effectiveness, and their results are clearly reflected in the data.”
The full ranking is:
1. Copenhagen
2. Zurich
3. Singapore
4. Aarhus, Denmark
5. Antwerp, Belgium
6. Seoul
7. Stockholm
8. Taipei, Taiwan
9. Munich
10. Rotterdam, Netherlands
11. Vancouver
12. Vienna
13. Paris
14. Helsinki
15. Aalborg, Denmark
16. Berlin
17. New York City
18. Dresden, Germany
19. Brussels
20. Geneva
21. Porto, Portugal
22. Barcelona
23. Oslo
24. Dublin
25. Milan
26. Roskilde, Denmark
27. Reykjavik, Iceland
28. Auckland, New Zealand
29. Adelaide, Australia
30. Minneapolis
Copenhagen
The Danish capital was ranked as the happiest city in the world, as it “seamlessly combines history, modernity and sustainability”, the survey says. Copenhagen received high marks for prioritising innovation and education. “It cultivates a strong learning culture, with 11% of residents engaged in lifelong learning,” according to the report. In addition, 86% of citizens are fluent in at least one foreign language and 20% hold a postgraduate degree. With these educational credentials, citizens are entrepreneurs and the city has an impressive 230.2 businesses per 1,000 residents. This hard work is paying off, with average earnings in Copenhagen being 60% higher than the rest of Denmark.
However, work-life balance is a priority across the city, and the average working week is only 37 hours. The city also provides many environmentally friendly commutes, with 69% of all trips considered green commuting. As such, it has fresh, clean air with an average PM10 air pollution level of just 17. In Copenhagen, green spaces abound, with 0.96 parks per square kilometre. “Health and well-being are cornerstones of life” in the city, with universal healthcare, access to 4.4 doctors per 1,000 residents and 17.8% of adults enrolled in coordinated mental health treatment, the study says.
