Why the "2025 Happy City Index" Matters to Global Mobility Programs

In today’s hyper-connected world, where talent can be deployed nearly anywhere, the definition of a “good” relocation destination is evolving. It’s no longer just about infrastructure, tax benefits, or cost of living. Now more than ever, the happiness and well-being of relocating employees and their families are paramount.

Corporate global mobility teams may not get to decide where talent is deployed—those decisions are almost always driven by business priorities—but they play a crucial role in how those relocations are experienced. The support structures they design and the expectations they help set can make the difference between a successful assignment and one that falls short. That’s why the 2025 Happy City Index offers a unique lens for evaluating the quality of life in various destinations around the world—and how to better prepare assignees to thrive there.

What is the Happy City Index?

Now in its sixth edition, the Happy City Index is a data-driven global initiative that evaluates urban happiness across a wide range of social, environmental, and economic factors. Unlike traditional rankings that crown a “best” city based on GDP or real estate value, the Happy City Index takes a holistic approach. It’s rooted in the belief that urban happiness is multi-dimensional and should be measured accordingly.

In 2025, the Index expanded its scope significantly—growing from 76 to 82 indicators. This was driven in part by the introduction of a new category focused entirely on Health, covering critical topics like mental health, safety, nutrition, and work-life balance. These additions reflect a deepening awareness of what truly affects people’s well-being in the cities they live and work in.

To be included in the Index, cities must provide transparent, comparable data—a core value of the project. In fact, transparency and open governance are key themes in the evaluation, with the goal of not just identifying high-performing cities, but also encouraging municipalities to improve the ways they serve their residents.

The Six Themes That Define Happiness

The Happy City Index organizes its 82 indicators into six major themes—each of which has direct relevance to the global mobility landscape:

Citizens – Measures social inclusion, civic engagement, and cultural vibrancy. For assignees, this impacts how easily they integrate and feel a sense of belonging.

Governance – Evaluates transparency, access to public data, and participatory decision-making. Cities with low scores here may signal bureaucratic hurdles or unclear public systems.

Environment – Includes pollution levels, urban planning, climate resilience, and access to green space. Vital for physical health and family well-being.

Economy – Looks at employment opportunities, affordability, and economic stability. While mobility packages may offset cost of living, local economic health still affects day-to-day life.

Health – A 2025 addition, this evaluates public health infrastructure, mental health services, safety, and lifestyle balance—key considerations for long-term assignee success.

Mobility – Considers public transit, walkability, accessibility, and commuting efficiency. Especially important for assignees without vehicles or those with families.

By viewing these themes together, the Index reveals not just which cities are performing well, but why—providing a blueprint for understanding the human experience behind the data.

How Mobility Teams Can Use This Information

Although mobility professionals can’t redirect assignments based on happiness data, they can use this information to shape the relocation experience more thoughtfully. Here are three examples:

Recruitment Advantage: When a role is tied to a Gold-rated city like Copenhagen or Melbourne, the Index can be a powerful talking point for talent acquisition teams and HR partners, helping to highlight lifestyle benefits and community quality.

Pre-Assignment Planning: For destinations with lower scores—especially in Health or Mobility—the Index can guide anticipatory support. This might include enhanced destination services, counseling options, or education about navigating local systems.

Policy Customization: Understanding a city’s strengths and gaps may influence the type of relocation benefits offered, such as wellness stipends, childcare resources, or mental health support access.

By aligning policy and service delivery with the human realities of each destination, mobility teams can turn data into action—and help employees and families feel better supported from day one.

Meet the 2025 Gold Cities

Each year, the Happy City Index recognizes a selection of “Gold Cities”—urban areas that perform at the highest levels across all six themes. These are not perfect places, but they are among the best at nurturing human happiness in an urban setting.

The Top 10 Gold Cities of 2025 are:

1. Copenhagen (Denmark)
2. Zurich (Switzerland)
3. Singapore (Singapore)
4. Aarhus (Denmark)
5. Antwerp (Belgium)
6. Seoul (South Korea)
7. Stockholm (Sweden)
8. Taipei (Taiwan)
9. Munich (Germany)
10. Rotterdam (Netherlands)

There were 31 cities overall that achieved “gold” status…and big shout out to Minneapolis for making “gold”, coming in at #30 as the only US city besides NYC at #17 to make gold. These gold cities share several common traits: investment in green infrastructure, high-quality public services, walkable neighborhoods, and active efforts to foster social cohesion and inclusivity.

Even if your assignees aren’t headed to these cities, studying what makes them successful can help mobility teams advocate for more supportive policies elsewhere. Each gold city is provided a more detailed breakdown with a profile and description of the city, and some have videos to go with these profiles.

A Tool for Strategy, Not Just Curiosity

The Happy City Index isn’t just a ranking—it’s a strategic resource. It reinforces the idea that happiness is measurable, environmental, and responsive to local policy. For mobility leaders, that’s a powerful message: the context into which you send your talent matters deeply, even if you can’t control the location itself.

By using these insights to reconsider your pre-departure education, employee communications, and program development, you position yourself not just as an administrator of moves—but as a partner in helping people and families truly thrive across borders.