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

""Health and well-being are cornerstones of life in Copenhagen," the report noted. "The city boasts universal health care coverage, with every resident insured and access to 4.4 doctors per 1,000 inhabitants. Life expectancy stands at 79.9 years, supported by a well-balanced lifestyle that includes an average workweek of 37 hours.""

""If there's one takeaway from our extensive research, it's this: no single city can be labelled as the absolute best at ensuring the happiness of its citizens over the long haul [...] At best, we might highlight cities for specific achievements or improvements in a given year. But that's not our main goal. We're all about uncovering and celebrating positive trends""

""committed to cultivating and growing happiness""

The Institute for Quality of Life publishes an annual Happy City Index ranking cities on education, inclusive policies, the economy, environmental protection, and access to green areas using 82 indicators and resident interviews. Copenhagen tops the list for its commitment to education and innovation, transparent governance, sustainability, and accessible health care. Copenhagen offers universal health coverage, 4.4 doctors per 1,000 inhabitants, a life expectancy of 79.9 years, and an average 37-hour workweek supporting wellbeing. Zurich is second and Singapore third; Aarhus is fourth and Antwerp fifth. New York ranks 17th and Minneapolis 30th. No single city is labelled the absolute best long-term; rankings highlight achievements and positive trends.

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