The world’s happiest city has officially been crowned and it’s a European capital that’s taken this year’s crown.
An annual ranking, the Happy City Index looks at several key factors to determine how ‘happy’ a city is.
Cities are judged on their governance and civic engagement, economy, health, environment and mobility to determine how happy their residents are.
And this year’s winner? Copenhagen.
The Danish capital is a ‘vital hub for culture, governance and economic activity’, explains the Happy City Index.
It picks up a whopping 1,039 happiness points in the Index helping it soar to the top of the podium.
The city is ‘deeply committed to environmental sustainability’ while 69 per cent of its transport is ‘environmentally friendly’.
And Copenhagen even has its very own Happiness Museum. The ‘small museum about the big things in life’ helps teach visitors exactly why Denmark is quite so happy.
An annual ranking, the Happy City Index looks at several key factors to determine how ‘happy’ a city is. This year’s winner is Copenhagen
The Danish capital is a ‘vital hub for culture, governance and economic activity’, explains the Happy City Index
Second on the list is Zurich with a total of 993 happiness points. Switzerland’s largest city is ‘renowned for economic strength, high quality of life and commitment to sustainability’.
The city also has plenty of ‘eco-friendly’ transport options, ‘strong renewable energy initiatives’ and a robust health service.
Singapore is the top-scoring city outside Europe, picking up a total of 979 points to place third in the index.
It scores highly for its ‘world-renowned universities’, high levels of ‘civic engagement’ and extremely low unemployment rate.
Another Danish city, Aarhus, grabs fourth place on the list with 958 points. The country’s second-largest metropolis, Aarhus has a ‘robust economy’ and high levels of ‘civic engagement’.
Antwerp in Belgium rounds off the top five with a score of 956 points, beating Seoul into sixth place (942 points).
London, the highest-scoring UK city, fails to make the top 20 instead landing in 31st place.
However, it still earns a high score of 842 points and is celebrated for its ‘extensive and efficient transport network’. The city falls slightly down the rankings due to its high obesity rate (26 per cent).
Second on the list is Zurich with a total of 993 happiness points. Switzerland’s largest city is ‘renowned for economic strength, high quality of life and commitment to sustainability’
London, the highest-scoring UK city, fails to make the top 20 instead landing in 31st place
York is the next happiest UK city (63rd place) with 771 points while Reading scores next-highest (88th place, 742 points).
Manchester (101st place, 713 points) and Bristol (103rd place, 708 points) round off the UK top five.
New York is the highest-scoring city in the USA coming in 17th position in the ranking with 902 happiness points.
The Big Apple picks up high scores for education, civic engagement and sustainability.
However, it slips down the rankings due to lower scores in healthcare. New York has an obesity rate of 41.9 per cent.
