WANDERLUST NEWS
These are the happiest cities in the world in 2025 These are the happiest cities in the world in 2025
The happiest cities in the world have been revealed for 2025 – and we’re willing to bet the number one won’t surprise you.
The Nordics have long been considered among the happiest countries in the world, so it’s hardly shocking that Copenhagen in Denmark has just claimed the top spot in the Happy City Index 2025.
Other Nordic cities in the top ten include Aarhus in Denmark in fourth place (which was number one in 2024), and Stockholm in Sweden.
The top 10 happiest cities in the world are as follows:
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Singapore
- Aarhus, Denmark
- Antwerp, Belgium
- Seoul, South Korea
- Stockholm, Sweden
- Taipei, Taiwan
- Munich, Germany
- Rotterdam, Netherlands
In the UK, the infamous grumpiness of Londoners hasn’t stopped the capital city being among the happiest in the world, coming in 31st place. Other cities in the rankings include York (63rd), Reading (83rd), Manchester (101st) and Bristol (103rd).
Over in the US, New York City was 17th in the rankings, followed by Minneapolis in Minnesota (30th), San Diego in California (34th), Washington DC (43rd) and Salt Lake City in Utah (56th).
Happy City Index looks at data across six key themes: citizens, governance, environment, economy, health, and mobility. Data analysed under these themes include housing affordability (both to rent and to buy), foreign language competence, parks and green space share, unemployment, safety in public spaces, obesity, vacation days, public transport networks and air transport availability.
More information: happy-city-index.com
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