Singapore named third happiest city on Earth

The Southeast Asian city-state stands behind Copenhagen, Denmark, and Zurich, Switzerland.

The U.K.-based institute tracked 82 indicators across six major themes that "directly influence" residents' happiness: citizens, governance, environment, economy, health, and mobility.

The index emphasized that no single city should be considered "the happiest," instead highlighting a group of 31 cities that made the "Gold Cities" list, indicating strong performance across all metrics.

According to the institute, Singapore "stands as a global beacon of economic prosperity, governance, and urban innovation."

Home to over six million residents, the entire nation is encapsulated within a single metropolis spanning 734.3 square kilometers.

Education and innovation are "at the heart of Singapore’s success," with the country's universities ranking in the global top 50, the index noted.

Singapore "maintains its global connectivity," with more than 63% of the population speaking at least one foreign language and 55% possessing digital skills.

The index also stated that the country fosters technological progress and ensures a steady pipeline of innovation, granting 7.37 patents per 10,000 residents.

Governance and transparency define Singapore's administrative excellence, the index said, adding that there were "high levels of civic engagement."

It also noted that Singapore operates a comprehensive open data platform, making 8,086 datasets available to the public.

Digital governance is seamlessly integrated into daily life, it said, citing e-services for fault reporting, online payments, and appointment scheduling.

For the first time, the Happy City Index included the theme of health, with indicators covering mental health, nutrition, and work-life balance.

With universal medical insurance and 2.8 doctors per 1,000 residents, healthcare in Singapore "is both accessible and efficient," the index said.

It also praised the country's strong public health initiatives, citing a life expectancy of 83 years and a low obesity rate.

"Mental health services are expanding, with 15% of the adult population receiving coordinated care," it added.

The city maintains a remarkably low suicide attempt rate of 0.06 per 1,000 residents and a minimal crime rate, with just 3.31 recorded incidents of public violence per 1,000 residents, making Singapore one of the safest cities in the world.

Regarding mobility and transport infrastructure, the index said Singapore's system is "among the most advanced globally," and that the city prioritizes sustainable transit options.

"An intelligent traffic management system ensures smooth urban movement, while commuters benefit from fully integrated electronic payment systems," it said.

The index also noted that all public transport vehicles in Singapore are fully adapted for people with mobility disabilities.

"Traffic-related fatalities remain low at 0.24 per 10,000 residents, thanks to stringent safety measures and efficient urban planning," it said.

The index also praised Singapore's sustainable urban policies, recognizing the city as a pioneer in biodiversity protection and renewable energy adoption.

"With 100% of the population served by sewage treatment facilities, Singapore upholds high environmental standards."

While acknowledging that waste management remains a challenge, it noted that the country's recycling efforts continue to improve.

Two other Asian cities made the top 10 in this year's ranking: Seoul at sixth and Taipei at eighth.

This is the sixth edition of the Happy City Index. A total of 200 cities were ranked, with 31 designated as "Gold Cities."

In last year's edition, Singapore was also named a Gold City, ranking 34th out of 37 cities.