3 Turkish cities make it to top 250 among happiest towns in world

The 2024 edition of the annual 2024 Happy City Index has been announced. Compiled by a U.K.-based Institute for Quality of Life, this list evaluates the satisfaction of residents in cities based on various criteria such as public transportation, education, economy, and environmental protection.

According to the research results, three cities from Türkiye made it onto the list.

World’s happiest city: Aarhus, Denmark

Aarhus, Denmark, occupies the number one position on this year’s Happy City Index. The Danish city surpasses Copenhagen, which has previously held the title.

Zurich, Switzerland, and Berlin, Germany, claim the second and third spots, respectively. Gothenburg, Sweden, and Amsterdam, Netherlands, follow closely behind, completing the top five.

Helsinki, Finland; Bristol, England; Geneva, Switzerland; Munich, Germany; and Stockholm, Sweden, are among other prominent cities featured in the Index.

Istanbul leads Türkiye’s entries

Istanbul is the highest-ranked Turkish city on the list, positioned at 197th out of 250 cities. This ranking places Istanbul ahead of cities such as Buenos Aires, Warsaw, Cape Town, and Bangkok.

Izmir follows as Türkiye’s second happiest city, securing the 222nd spot. Despite falling behind Brasov and Malaga, Izmir surpasses cities like Jeddah and Toronto.

Antalya is Türkiye’s third city on the list, ranking 246th, just five places from the bottom. Antalya outperformed several cities from Brazil, Argentina, China, and South Africa to make it onto the list.

Factors influencing determination of happy cities

The ranking of happy cities is based on measurable, objective, and verifiable data, focusing on areas that directly impact residents’ sense of happiness. This comprehensive evaluation does not assess the activities of city authorities but instead considers various factors affecting the quality of life.

The primary areas influencing urban happiness include citizens, governance, environment, economy and mobility. Each of these themes plays a crucial role in shaping the overall happiness of city dwellers by ensuring safety, fostering community relationships and supporting inclusive social policies.

While external factors like regional conflicts or natural disasters also impact happiness, local policies and the actions of city leaders significantly contribute to residents’ well-being.