Haifa Ranks Among World's Happiest Cities in New Global Study

Haifa has been included in the Happy City Index 2026, a global ranking of urban well-being, placing 187th. The study, released in London in September 2026 by the British publication Institute for Quality of Life, marks Haifa as the sole Israeli city featured in the comprehensive list. The results were presented at an event held within the British Parliament in Westminster.

The Happy City Index evaluates cities based on objective statistical data across 64 parameters, categorized into six key areas: residents, governance, environment, economy, health, and mobility. Factors considered include housing and education accessibility, life expectancy, unemployment rates, green space availability, public transport development, and urban governance standards. This methodology relies on measurable data rather than subjective public opinion surveys.

The research involved 466 investigators who spent five months gathering and verifying approximately 150,000 data points. The initial selection pool comprised over 3,400 cities worldwide, with a rigorous vetting process narrowing the field down to the final 250 cities that made it into the index.

European capitals and major cities dominated the top positions in the ranking. Copenhagen secured the first place, followed by Helsinki in second, and Geneva in third.