Happiness means different things to different people. But some things make almost everyone happy—like good healthcare, green parks, good schools, and a safe, friendly community. The Institute for Quality of Life studies all this and picks the cities that make life the happiest.
Every year, the Institute releases its Happy City Index, which lists cities that focus on people’s happiness through smart planning, clean environments, education, easy transport, and good jobs. Cities are given gold, silver, or bronze awards based on how well they do.
This year, Singapore was named the happiest city in Asia and the third happiest city in the world!
Why Is Singapore So Happy?
Singapore is a small but powerful city-state. It has around 6 million people and a strong economy. In 2024, it had a huge budget of $74.8 billion to improve life for its people.
But money isn’t everything. Singapore is known for:
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Great schools and universities
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Transparent government with open data
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Easy access to healthcare (2.8 doctors for every 1,000 people)
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High life expectancy (average is 83 years)
It’s also a cultural hotspot with amazing food, luxury hotels, and Changi Airport—often rated the best in the world. Even with 16.5 million tourists visiting in 2024, the city stays clean, safe, and organized.
Other Happy Cities
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Copenhagen (Denmark) ranked #1 globally. It’s famous for green transport—69% of travel there is eco-friendly.
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Zurich (Switzerland) came in second.
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Aarhus (Denmark) and Antwerp (Belgium) were also in the top 5.
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In the U.S., New York City and Minneapolis earned gold. San Diego, Seattle, Nashville, Washington, D.C., and more got silver.
Singapore shows that with smart planning and care for people, cities can become truly happy places to live and visit.
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