Sydney In The Top 100 Happiest Cities In The World

Sydney In The Top 100 Happiest Cities In The World
Image: City of Sydney/Facebook

Sydney has ranked as one of the top 100 happiest cities in the world according to a new report.

For the past six years, the Happy City Index has been ranking 200 cities around the world using 82 indicators across six categories: governance, environment, economy, mobility, citizen wellbeing and health.

Every capital city in Australia made it into the top 200. Adelaide made it out on top, placing 29th globally, and also came second in environmental performance, with the report describing it as “setting new standards for sustainability, innovation, and quality of life”.

The South Australian capital was followed by Canberra (51), Melbourne (67), and then Sydney, at number 75.

We’ve jumped a whole 41 places since the 2024 report, where we ranked 116th and received a much lower score than  other major Australian cities.

Copenhagen was ranked as the happiest city in the world, with Zurich, Singapore, Aarhus, and Antwerp rounding out the rest of the top five.

Even more to smile about

Our increase in happiness might be thanks to the amazing art and entertainment Sydney has got to offer, with the city being ranked the fifth best city for culture in the world by Time Out.

The list was decided by quizzing 18,500 locals in cities across the planet about the culture scene in their hometown, and then narrowing down the long list with the help of a global network of city editors and art and culture writers.

In a statement on Friday morning, minister for transport John Graham said “Since coming to government two years ago we’ve been fighting to bring Sydney back to life, which has involved cutting lots of red tape that was holding back small venues through to large cultural events.”

He named extended trading hours, lifted concert caps on stadiums, and the introduction of Special Entertainment Precincts throughout the state.

“The hard work continues, so stay tuned as we rebuild our night-time economy block-by-block neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood,” said Graham.

“People often talk down Sydney’s cultural life, and sometimes they’ve had reason to, but that’s changing. I think it’s time to be proud of our city and our state again.”

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