According to the results of the annual ranking traditionally announced by the Happy City Index international organization, Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, ranked first as the happiest city in the world in 2025 with a record high score of 1039 points.
Experts believe that Copenhagen's leading position in the ranking is not unexpected, but rather the result of clear political and social decisions made over the years in the city. This city stands out for its high level of sustainable development, environmental cleanliness, an eco-friendly transportation system, and infrastructure conducive to the health of its residents.
It is noted that nearly 70 percent of trips in Copenhagen are made by bicycle and public transport. Additionally, the city has a unique "Museum of Happiness," which provides an opportunity to study this concept scientifically and culturally.
Zurich – a symbol of economic stability
Second place was taken by Zurich, Switzerland, with a score of 993 points. This city is highly regarded for its economic stability, high-quality healthcare system, and advanced policies in environmental protection.
Singapore – the happiest city in Asia
Completing the top three is Singapore, recognized as the happiest city in Asia, which ranked third with 979 points. The main achievements of this city include a high-quality education system, low unemployment rates, and social activism among its population.
Aarhus and Antwerp also received high ratings
Another city from Denmark, Aarhus (958 points), also made it into the strong five. Aarhus stands out for its strong economy and high level of citizen engagement in governance processes. The fifth place went to Antwerp, Belgium, with a score of 956 points.
This year, Antwerp surpassed the South Korean capital Seoul to enter the top five.
What other cities are in the top ten?
In the top ten of the ranking, cities such as Stockholm (Sweden), Taipei (Taiwan), Munich (Germany), Rotterdam (Netherlands), and Vancouver (Canada) are also included.
In the top 30, famous metropolises like Vienna, Paris, New York, Geneva, and Barcelona are also present.
Central Asian cities did not make it into the top 200
The report notes that to be a happy city, it is not enough to have high income or a favorable climate; rather, clear and comprehensive urban policies in infrastructure, healthcare, ecology, and social cooperation are necessary.
Unfortunately, the countries in Central Asia, including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, have not been able to make it into the top 200 of this ranking.
It is also emphasized that cities from Azerbaijan, Mongolia, and the UAE have not been included in this ranking.
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