Singapore Leaps to Third Place in 2025 Happy City Index, Crowned Asia’s Happiest City

By
Loh Huey Xin
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Singapore has shot up to third place in the 2025 Happy City Index, marking a remarkable improvement from its 34th position last year.

The city-state now ranks just behind Copenhagen and Zurich, earning recognition as the “happiest city” in Asia.

Global Recognition for Singapore’s Urban Excellence and Innovation

The London-based Institute for Quality of Life, which produces the Happy City Index, evaluated cities using 82 indicators across six key themes: Citizens, Governance, Environment, Economy, Health, and Mobility.

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The 2025 edition introduced Health as a new category, encompassing Mental Health, Safety, Nutrition, and Work-Life Balance.

The institute awarded Singapore 979 points, describing it as a “city-state unlike any other” and a “global beacon of economic prosperity, governance, and urban innovation.”

Two other Asian cities joined Singapore in the top 10, with Seoul securing 6th place and Taipei landing in 8th.

These three were also the only Asian cities to receive the prestigious “gold” status among the top 31 cities worldwide.

The next highest Southeast Asian city, Kuala Lumpur, ranked significantly lower at 167th, receiving only a “bronze” designation.

Outstanding Performance in Healthcare, Safety and Governance

Singapore scored well in the newly added Health category. The index noted that 100% of the population has medical insurance, with citizens enjoying an impressive life expectancy of 83 years and a low obesity rate.

The city-state’s healthcare system earned praise for being both accessible and efficient, with a doctor-to-population ratio of 2.8 per 1,000 residents.

Safety remains one of Singapore’s strongest assets, with just 3.31 recorded incidents of public violence per 1,000 residents and a low suicide attempt rate, making it “one of the safest cities in the world.”

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In the Governance category, Singapore stood out with high civic engagement indicated by a 95.81% voter turnout in the last election.

The index also highlighted that three per cent of Singapore’s budget goes toward supporting innovation, positioning it as a global leader in smart urban development.

The city operates a comprehensive open data platform with 8,086 datasets available for public access, and digital governance is integrated into daily life through various e-services.

Economic Strength and World-Class Infrastructure

Education and innovation serve as key pillars of Singapore’s success, with local universities ranked among the top 50 globally. The country boasts 7.37 patents per 10,000 residents, establishing a steady pipeline of new ideas.

However, the index pointed out that education costs remain a concern, requiring 13.4% of an individual’s income.

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Singapore’s economy continues to thrive as “an engine of global commerce and entrepreneurship,” with 101.67 new businesses emerging per 1,000 residents annually. The unemployment rate sits at just 2%, reflecting a “robust job market.”

The Happy City Index ranked Singapore’s mobility and transport infrastructure among the most advanced globally. All public transport vehicles are fully adapted for individuals with mobility disabilities, and traffic-related fatalities are notably low at 0.24 per 10,000 residents.

Environmental standards also received positive attention, with 100% of the population served by sewage treatment facilities. While waste management was flagged as a challenge, recycling efforts continue to improve.

The Happy City Index differs from the World Happiness Report, where Singapore fell four places to 34th this year—its lowest position since the report began.

In that report, Taiwan overtook Singapore as the happiest in Asia, though Singapore still ranks as the happiest country in Southeast Asia.

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Loh Huey Xin