This European Capital Was Named the Happiest City in the World—and It’s Surprisingly Not in Finland

If you are looking for a little and happiness in your life, consider moving to Denmark, the happiest city home on the planet.

Every year, the Institute for Life releases its Happy City Index, which categorized cities that classified “happiness and growing happiness” on the basis of factors such as education, comprehensive policies, economy, environmental protection and access to green areas. Overall, the organization sees 82 different indicators of happiness, including individual interviews with residents in cities around the world.

And this year’s list is by Copenhagen. According to these results, Danish’s capital is high thanks to its “education and innovation”, as well as its transparency in access to governance, stability, and health care.

“Health and fitness are the foundations of life in Copenhagen,” the report said. “The city contains global health care coverage, which has access to 4.4 doctors in every residential insured and every 1,000 residents. Life is expected 79.9 years, which is supported by a balanced lifestyle, including an average of 37 hours.”

Zuric, Switzerland, was second, followed by Singapore. Another Danish city, Aros, who was at the top of the ranking in 2024, is fourth, and Antorp, Belgium, fifth. Denmark, which was declared the second most joyful country in the world earlier this year after Finland, has only seven cities in the top 50.

This year’s list is New York, a high -ranking American city, which came in number 17, and Manipolis, which is ranked 30th.

However, the Institute for Quality of Life Notes, “If our extensive research is to take advantage of, this is: No city can be considered absolutely best in ensuring its citizens’ long distance (…), we can highlight cities for specific achievements or improvement this year but it is not our main purpose.

Happy City-Index.com View the full ranking and details of each city.