Copenhagen has once again taken the spotlight as the world’s happiest city, according to the 2025 Happy City Index published by the British think tank Institute for Quality of Life. The Danish capital topped a list of 200 urban centers evaluated for their ability to foster happiness, well-being, and quality of life through measurable indicators.
Danish cities dominate global happiness rankings
A total of seven Danish cities feature in the global top 50, with four securing spots in the prestigious “gold” tier. Aarhus ranked fourth, Aalborg fifteenth, and Roskilde twenty-sixth, all joining Copenhagen among the elite cities with outstanding scores across six key themes: citizens, governance, environment, economy, health, and mobility.
Three additional Danish cities—Randers (40th), Holstebro (44th), and Ballerup (45th)—landed in the silver category, reflecting robust scores in quality of life but slightly lower performance in one or more areas.
According to professor Christian Bjørnskov from Aarhus University, the strong performance of Danish cities is closely linked to high levels of social trust, economic stability, and a deep-rooted welfare infrastructure: “Roughly speaking, the index measures areas where Scandinavia stands out globally. We are wealthy, relatively healthy, and green.”
Nordic neighbors also shine
Nordic countries are well represented in the top ranks of the Happy City Index. Stockholm (7th), Helsinki (14th), Oslo (23rd), Reykjavík (27th), Tampere (96th), Turku (99th), Espoo (53rd), Bergen (60th), and Trondheim (94th) all made the top 100.
These placements highlight a regional commitment to inclusive governance, environmental sustainability, and social well-being. Many Nordic cities scored particularly high in the citizens category, which evaluates education, innovation, access to culture, and housing.
Why Copenhagen leads the world
Copenhagen achieved a total score of 1039 points, leading all cities in the 2025 Happy City Index. It was particularly strong in the themes of citizens (237 points), environment (192), and economy (182). The city is praised for “seamlessly blending history, modernity, and sustainability,” with health and well-being being described as “pillars of life in the capital.”
This year’s report emphasizes that the ranking is not merely about subjective happiness but about measurable quality-of-life factors that reflect the functionality and livability of urban environments. Roskilde, for example, scored the highest of all cities in the citizens theme, underlining its investment in education, innovation, and inclusive urban policies.
The institute also highlights how everyday behaviors in Denmark contribute to happiness. Research by the philanthropic foundation Realdania found that people who regularly engage with their neighbors and strangers report significantly higher life satisfaction. This sense of community cohesion and interpersonal trust is a cornerstone of Danish urban life.
Methodology behind the rankings
The Happy City Index analyzed 82 indicators across six themes: citizens, governance, environment, economy, health, and mobility. Only cities with reliable, measurable, and comparable data were included. The evaluation also incorporated interviews with local residents to gauge qualitative aspects of urban life.
While the report has been celebrated, it is not without criticism. Professor Bjørnskov cautions that the index reflects the criteria chosen by the authors themselves, including some based on intentions rather than outcomes, such as sustainability visions.
Still, with Copenhagen and its Danish peers consistently excelling in international benchmarks, the Happy City Index reinforces what many already suspect: the Nordic model of urban development is among the most effective for ensuring life satisfaction in the 21st century.
