Two Hungarian Cities Rank Among the World’s Happiest
Two Hungarian Cities Among the Happiest in the World, According to Latest Rankings
For the sixth consecutive year, the Institute for Quality of Life has unveiled its list of the happiest and most livable cities globally, evaluating a remarkable 82 indicators this time. Notably, two cities from Hungary have made it onto this prestigious ranking, as reported by Hirado.hu.
Copenhagen has claimed the top spot in the 2025 rankings for the happiest cities in the world, as part of the esteemed Happy City Index. The Institute utilized a comprehensive analysis, categorizing the 82 indicators into six main areas: civic participation, governance, environment, health, economy, and mobility.
The Hungarian capital, Budapest, secured the 110th position on the list, earning 700 points. It ranked favorably when compared to several regional competitors, such as Prague (153rd), Sofia (155th), and Warsaw (175th). Meanwhile, Vienna, located closest to Budapest, claimed the 12th spot with 918 points, trailing Copenhagen by 121 points. Also in the regional context, Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital, took the 41st position.
In addition to Budapest, Debrecen also featured in the rankings, landing at 145th place with a score of 646 points. The city performed admirably in aspects directly affecting its residents, achieving 160 points in this category, along with a commendable 137 points for environmental indicators.
This year’s rankings were predominantly filled with cities from Northern and Western Europe, as well as a few notable locations in Asia, dominating the top ten list.
Here are the top 10 happiest cities:
- Copenhagen (Denmark)
- Zurich (Switzerland)
- Singapore (Republic of Singapore)
- Aarhus (Denmark)
- Antwerp (Belgium)
- Seoul (South Korea)
- Stockholm (Sweden)
- Taipei (Taiwan)
- Munich (Germany)
- Rotterdam (Netherlands)
As the trend indicates, the livability of cities increasingly influences global rankings, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices, efficient governance, and civic engagement. Both Budapest and Debrecen’s inclusion emphasizes Hungary’s growing reputation on the international stage as a desirable place to live.
In light of this, Hungary continues to attract the interest of foreigners, with recent statistics showing an impressive number of guest nights registered in domestic accommodation establishments, underscoring the appeal of the country.
Images included: Downtown Budapest with St. Stephen’s Basilica and the cityscape of Debrecen.
Via Hirado.hu, Featured image courtesy of Pixabay.
