These Are the Happiest Cities in the World for 2025

Every year, the Happy City Index releases a report that ranks the happiest cities in the world—and the results are in for 2025.

The index, run by the London-based organization Institute for Quality of Life, ranks 200 cities using 82 indicators across six broad categories including governance, environment, economy, mobility, and citizens—which includes indicators like education and access to cultural institutions. The sixth category, which is new to the list in 2025, is around the theme of health, with indicators such as mental health, safety, nutrition, and work-life balance.

Based on these criteria, the cities are ranked on three different lists: gold, silver, and bronze. The top 31 happiest cities are the “gold cities.” In 2025, cities in regions all around the world made the gold list, including Europe, Asia, North America, and the South Pacific.

Even two US cities took gold as part of the top 31 rankings: New York City, which clocked in as the 17th happiest city for being a “hub of innovation” where sustainable transportation options are on the rise; and Minneapolis, which is the 30th happiest, highlighting the abundant access to clean air and green spaces.

Authors of the report realize that happiness can be a moving target. “There is no single perfect place to live that guarantees happiness for all its residents,” the report says. “However, some cities implement urban policies with remarkable wisdom, continuously analyzing their effectiveness, and their results are clearly reflected in the data.”

Here’s a look at the top five happiest cities in the world for 2025, according to the Happiest Cities Index. For more, these are the happiest countries in the world.

5. Antwerp, Belgium

This city on Belgium’s Scheldt River scored top-tier happiness points for its high education statistics, solid transportation options, and health-conscious residents. “Around 7% of residents actively engage in lifelong learning, and nearly a quarter (24.8%) of the population holds a master’s degree,” according to the report. Antwerp’s life expectancy is high, at 81.2 years. Plus, “access to medical care is among the best in the region,” the index states, with 99% of the population covered by medical insurance and six doctors per 1,000 residents. However, the city’s score was dinged for having limited green space, with just 0.07 parks per square kilometer.