These cities are officially the happiest in Europe

The European Commission, the executive body of the EU, has released its findings into the quality of life people enjoy in European Cities, from the residents themselves. Conducting a sizeable 40,000 interviews in 79 cities and 4 greater cities, locals where quizzed on everything from cultural and sports facilities to public transport and safety. Of those 83 places, these were the highest scoring 10 where the locals were “very satisfied” with the life they lead:

56% answered very satisfied and just 5% were not very satisfied and 1% not at all satisfied with the life in Britain’s northern city, just one of four UK cities to make the top twenty.

One of the world’s most picturesque, idyllic cities manages a spot in the top 10, 56% of residents very satisfied with existence in Austria’s capital with 4% and 1% not very satisfied and not at all satisfied, respectively.

The happiest place in Germany, 57% are very satisfied with how they live in Munich, whilst 3% were not very satisfied and 1% deeming themselves as not at all satisfied.

60% of those living in Sweden’s second largest metropolis are very satisfied with life, with same ratio as those in Munich not or not at all satisfied.

The Norwegian capital is a regular on these kind of lists, with Scandinavian cities often scoring highest in happiness across the globe. 60% were overwhelmingly satisfied with life, with 2% not very satisfied and not a single person declaring themselves not at all satisfied.

Vienna may be beautiful but it’s not the happiest city in Austria. That honour goes to Graz, where 64% of residents are very satisfied, 3% not very satisfied and again, not a single person was not at all satisfied with life in the world heritage site.

The financial hub of Switzerland, in total 98% of residents are happy with life here, 64% answered very satisfied to life in the city with just 2% being not very satisfied.

The Icelandic capital and, in fact, the only large city on the whole island is renowned for being safe and surrounded in beauty, 66% are very satisfied with life there with 1% not very satisfied and another 1% not at all satisfied.

The Danish capital and second happiest city in Europe. 67% of locals are very satisfied with the life they lead, with 3% not very satisfied and 1% not at all satisfied.

This lesser known Danish industrial city takes the crown as the happiest city to live in Europe, surpassing Denmark’s capital by a fairly significant margin. Nearly three-quarters of residents are the very satisfied with their life, 72%, with just 2% not very satisfied and 1% not at all satisfied. A stunning waterfront and a top university putting the city on the map.

Of the top 20, there are three other UK cities to make the list. Manchester’s in at 18, Welsh capital Cardiff at 13, and Northern Ireland’s Belfast in at 11. Over 50% of residents in each city deemed themselves very satisfied with life.

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