Zurich almost tops worldwide happiness city rankings
Zurich Shines in 'Happiness' Rankings
Zurich takes the runner-up position in the 2025 Happy City Index, published by the London-based Institute for Quality of Life. This prestigious index evaluates the happiness of residents in 200 cities across the globe.
The results are determined using a whopping 82 indicators spanning six broad categories: governance, environment, economy, mobility, health, and culture.
Overshadowing third-placed Singapore, Zurich only falls short of Copenhagen, which snags the top spot. So, what sets Zurich apart? Let's dive into the key factors.
Jump In: 'You're More Than Welcome': Embracing Foreigners in Zurich'**
First off, Zurich's financial abundance is undeniable. "Zurich continues to be one of the most prosperous cities in the world", shares the report[1]. With a 2024 budget of 9.64 billion Swiss francs and average earnings surpassing the national by 75 percent, Zurich is undeniably one of the wealthiest urban centers in the world[1].
The city's economic strength and commitment to innovation and sustainability solidify its standing as a leading global metropolis[1].
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Zurich's commitment to education ranks high, too. Home to world-class universities, this city is a powerhouse in academia and research[1]. Despite the higher cost of living, the cost of studying in Zurich isn't a significant burden. In fact, residents only need to allocate 2.9 percent of their income to cover educational expenses[1].
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Zurich's diverse cultural landscape, with around 64.4 percent of the population speaking at least one foreign language, adds to the city's allure[1]. The city's administration is transparent and forward-thinking, implementing digital services for residents[1].
Top-notch healthcare services are also a hallmark of Zurich, offering universal medical insurance and boasting an impressive doctor-to-resident ratio of 4.5 to 1,000[1]. Life expectancy stands at 83.8 years, while the obesity rate remains impressively low at 12 percent, underlining the city's strong focus on public health and active living[1].
However, improvements could be made in the mental health department[1].
Zurich's transport system is another area of excellence, boasting seamless digital payment integration and a safe road network[1]. The city's commitment to recycling has also earned it recognition as a role model for circular economy practices[1].
But, Are Foreign Residents Satisfied?
When we reached out to Zurich residents to gauge their experiences, some highlighted concerns such as the cost of living and finding an affordable place to reside. Others reported difficulty forming meaningful connections with locals[2].
However, an encouraging 78 percent of respondents still asserted that Zurich is a satisfying place to live despite its challenges[2]. In another survey, respondents pointed to the city's safety, easy access to nature, good health services, and efficient visa renewal system as its strengths[2]. Negative aspects cited included the high number of smokers and a perceived xenophobia on online platforms[2].
Share your own thoughts on life in Zurich in the comments below.
- Despite a few challenges, such as high living costs and difficulty forming local connections, a significant 78% of Zurich residents still find the city to be a satisfying place to live.
- Zurich's diverse cultural landscape, with around 64.4% of the population speaking at least one foreign language, adds vibrancy to its allure.
- Zurich's commitment to education is evident with world-class universities, even though the cost of living is higher than average.
- With an average salary that surpasses the national by 75%, Zurich is one of the wealthiest cities in the world.
- Zurich's transport system is another area of excellence, boasting seamless digital payment integration and a safe road network.
- Top-notch healthcare services, excellent public health focus, and a low obesity rate of 12% are hallmarks of Zurich.
- Zurich's administration is transparent and forward-thinking, implementing digital services for residents.
- The city's transport system and commitment to recycling practices have earned it recognition as a role model for circular economy practices.
- Mental health department improvements could be made to supplement the strong focus on physical health.
- The city's diverse lifestyle offerings, including fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, pets, travel, cars, education-and-self-development, personal-growth, shopping, career-development, sports, sports-betting, and relationships, make Zurich an ideal location for growth and personal to flourish.
