Every year, cities around the world compete to win the title of the happiest city in the world. In 2025, the podium will experience a major change with a new European capital leading the way!
And that’s it, it’s over for Finland! Its capital, Helsinki, no longer holds the title of happiest city in the world. In 2024 again, it proudly dominated the ranking of the Institute for Quality of Life, praised for its exceptional living environment, its healthy environment and its balance between professional and personal life. But this year, another European capital steals the spotlight, proof that urban happiness is a fragile and constantly evolving balance.
This ranking, the result of the work of 150 researchers from around the world, evaluates cities according to key criteria linked to well-being: air quality, access to nature, security, health, cost of living, balance between professional and personal life, without forgetting culture and education. The index combines objective data and feedback from residents, thus offering a complete and human image of happiness in the city.
And the big winner of this year 2025 is… Copenhagen, Denmark! The Danish capital clearly ticks all the happiness boxes. Gentle urban planning, omnipresent green spaces, cycle paths as far as the eye can see, quality public services, low crime… The inhabitants of Copenhagen enjoy a serene and well-paced life, where stress seems to have been relegated to the background. Add to this strong social cohesion and a well-being policy at work, and you obtain an almost ideal cocktail for living happily every day.
But the city of cyclists is not only a good place to live all year round for its inhabitants. It also seduces its visitors with its unique charm. Tourists often leave with amazed eyes, particularly thanks to its picturesque and colorful neighborhoods like Nyhavn. When it comes to gastronomy, Copenhagen delights with specialties like smørrebrød, an open sandwich topped with fresh produce, or frikadeller, meatballs… The Danish capital is also a cultural hotspot, hosting prestigious events such as the Copenhagen Jazz Festival or the Copenhagen Opera Festival, which attract renowned international artists every year.
And France in all this? No French city appears in the top 10 this year. You have to go down to 13th position to see the only French representative appear: Paris. The French capital has many assets, such as an efficient public transport network and a particularly dynamic economic environment. But several points tarnish this picture such as its very high cost of living and its urban density.
