Copenhagen has been named the world’s happiest city in 2025, according to a new study by the Institute for the Quality of Life. This marks a significant shift from 2024, when Aarhus held the top spot and Copenhagen ranked eighth.

Aarhus still maintains a strong position, securing fourth place on the list. The study highlights Denmark’s overall high quality of life, with multiple cities recognized for their well-being.

In total, seven Danish cities are among the top 200 happiest cities globally. This demonstrates a widespread sense of contentment and positive living conditions across the country.

The other Danish cities included in the ranking are: Aalborg (15), Roskilde (26), Randers (40), Holstebro (44), and Ballerup (45). This signifies that a large portion of the top 50 happiest cities are in Denmark.

The index used to determine the rankings assesses cities based on six key themes: citizen, municipal administration, environment, economy, health, and mobility. These themes are further divided into sub-themes. The availability of solid and comparable data is a prerequisite for a city’s inclusion in the study.