Time Out has unveiled the world’s happiest cities, highlighting places where residents report high levels of joy, community connection, and life satisfaction to live in 2025.
Topping this year’s list is Abu Dhabi, followed by vibrant cities like Medellín, Cape Town, and Mexico City.
Abu Dhabi has been ranked the happiest city in the world for 2025, which gauges urban happiness based on feedback from local residents.
Dubai also made it to the list, securing the 16th position among the top 20 happiest cities globally. The UAE capital claimed the top spot, followed closely by Medellín, Cape Town, and Mexico City.
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Mumbai came in fifth, with Beijing and Shanghai ranking sixth and seventh, respectively. The top ten also included Chicago, Seville, and Melbourne.
Other cities featured in the index include Brighton, Porto, Sydney, Chiang Mai, and Marrakech. Hanoi, Jakarta, Valencia, and Glasgow completed the list of the top 20.
The rankings were based on residents’ views regarding overall quality of life, their connection to the community, and daily life satisfaction.
Respondents evaluated how content they felt living in their city and how much joy their environment contributed to their everyday experiences.
