Singapore shines with a smile as world’s third happiest city in 2025

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Seoul, Taipei, and Tokyo also secured spots in the top 50 of the global ranking.

Over the past year, cities around the world have grappled with a complex mix of progress and pressure — from the rapid rise of AI and deepening geopolitical tensions to the lingering effects of the pandemic. As wellbeing takes centre stage in global conversations, the importance of inclusive, localised approaches to happiness has become more apparent than ever.

In this shifting landscape, Singapore has secured third place in the Happy City Index 2025, with Seoul, Taipei, and Tokyo following close behind in the top 50, highlighting Asia’s growing leadership in shaping cities where happiness is not an afterthought, but a strategic priority.

Rather than declaring a single "happiest" city, the report recognises a collective of cities committed to fostering happiness through tangible, people-centric solutions. These leading cities have been lauded for prioritising education, inclusive policies, economic opportunity, mobility, environmental protection, access to green spaces, and innovation — not only in planning, but in everyday life.

As global challenges become increasingly interconnected, the role of local governments in shaping the daily experiences of their residents — and advancing the shared human goal of happiness — has never been more vital.

Here are the cities that made it to the top 31, classified as the group of cities that make up the list of 'Gold Cities':

Number	City	Country
1	Copenhagen	Denmark
2	Zurich	Switzerland
3	Singapore	Singapore
4	Aarhus	Denmark
5	Antwerp	Belgium
6	Seoul	South Korea
7	Stockholm	Sweden
8	Taipei	Taiwan
9	Munich	Germany
10	Rotterdam	Netherlands
11	Vancouver	Canada
12	Vienna	Austria
13	Paris	France
14	Helsinki	Finland
15	Aalborg	Denmark
16	Berlin	Germany
17	New York, NY	United States
18	Dresden	Germany
19	Brussels	Belgium
20	Geneva	Switzerland
21	Porto	Portugal
22	Barcelona	Spain
23	Oslo	Norway
24	Dublin	Ireland
25	Milan	Italy
26	Roskilde	Denmark
27	Reykjavik	Iceland
28	Auckland	New Zealand
29	Adelaide	Australia
30	Minneapolis, MN	United States
31	London	United Kingdom

Methodology

The sixth edition of the Happy City Index has expanded its methodology by increasing the number of indicators from 76 to 82, with the notable addition of a new health theme that covers mental health, safety, nutrition, and work-life balance. These updates were informed by an analysis of emerging global challenges and qualitative feedback from individuals engaged with previous city rankings.

The Index now evaluates cities across six key areas: citizens, governance, environment, economy, health, and mobility, drawing on one of the world’s largest databases on urban functioning to provide a comprehensive and evolving measure of residents’ happiness.

Citizens

In the area of citizens, the city’s activities that inspire and encourage innovative attitudes — evident in research and development, interinstitutional cooperation, and creativity — are crucial. Such attitudes should also be fostered by a well-organised educational system that develops these competencies among young residents.

Governance

The final category of factors within the area of governance is the existence of strategies and visions for city development aimed at improving the quality of life. This includes policies, perspectives, and clearly designated structures responsible for specific areas of urban activity, particularly those focused on residents' quality of life. It is crucial that city authorities are fully aware of the activities they undertake, have clearly defined goals, and develop strategies and tools to achieve them.

Environment

The environment area focuses on key challenges that cities must address, considering both resident participation and the initiatives led by city authorities. Issues such as air pollution and waste management are especially critical. As urban populations grow, the demand for public transport services will increase significantly, which could worsen pollution if not managed properly. This situation calls for rational, equitable, and sustainable management of natural resources to support the expanding population while minimising environmental impact.

Economy

The economy area of the Happy City Index evaluates critical factors such as GDP, productivity, and salary levels, which reflect how efficiently cities utilise resources, including human capital. It also considers how cities facilitate access to national and global services by comparing local salaries to national averages. Innovation and creativity within both citizens and businesses are essential, driving new solutions and economic growth.

Key economic indicators include entrepreneurship, labour market flexibility, unemployment, and the use of information and communication technologies. Additionally, the international presence of companies highlights a city’s ability to compete and collaborate globally. Ultimately, the economy of a happy city depends on stable employment, openness to lifelong learning, and the active participation of residents and businesses in fostering innovation and governance, supporting sustainable urban development.

Health

Within the health theme of the Happy City Index, safety evaluates both crime and road accident rates, as well as access to healthcare services. Key indicators include the ratio of doctors to residents, health insurance coverage, and the availability of free childhood vaccinations — emphasising informed choice over financial barriers.

The theme also covers road and public transport safety, recognising its impact on well-being and public finances. Preventing accidents not only saves lives but also reduces the economic burden on city budgets by lowering costs related to emergency response, healthcare, and legal proceedings.

Mobility

The mobility area highlights the importance of real-time open data on vehicle movements and the availability of multimodal public transport. Transparent, accessible transport data — also emphasised in the governance theme — helps residents make informed travel decisions, avoid congestion, and save time. These time savings enhance quality of life by allowing more time for family, hobbies, and rest.

Indicators

In the 2025 edition of the Happy City Index, all indicators have been categorised into 26 areas of urban activity, each assigned different weights and levels of significance based on comprehensive research and analysis. For the first time, the Index has introduced negative scoring.

While the framework traditionally focused on rewarding cities for positive outcomes, the addition of the health category prompted a shift — highlighting the need to penalise poor practices. This change encourages cities not only to earn points through effective policies but also to avoid losses caused by harmful or inadequate measures.

Citizens