City Profile: Adelaide
General Overview
Education & Innovation
Governance & Transparency
Health & Well-being
Mobility & Transport
Environment & Sustainability
Economy & Business
General Overview
- Country: Australia
- Population of the city: 1379000
- Area of the city measured in square kilometres (km²): 3259
- Budget of the city in 2024 (GBP): 141 930 595 GBP
- Percentage of population of the country living in the city: 5.00%
- GDP PER PERSON: 46925
- REAL GDB - GROWTH: 1.3
- Percentage of all employed individuals in public administration: 17.90%
Education & Innovation
- The highest ranking position of university in global educational indexes: 89
- Percentage of citizens taking part in formal education - lifelong learning: 21.00%
- The percentage of income that should be allocated to cover the cost of studies: 18.20%
- Percentage of the population who knew at least one foreign language: 22.80%
- Percentage of population with digital skills: 80.00%
- Patent granted per 10,000 residents: 11.38
Governance & Transparency
- Percentage of the city’s budget allocated to projects run by NGOs: 6.54%
- Number of residents (per 1000) involved in local governance structures: 0.03
- City have its own open data website, or does it regularly report and publish its data on the national open data platform managed by a government agency: yes
- Datasets containing information about the city and its residents which are available on the open data portal managed by the city or a government agency to which the city provides information: 16
- E-services: fault reporting system, electronic payments, on-line appointment scheduling: yes
- Number of valid and currently in-force sectoral (thematic) strategies: 3
Health & Well-being
- Percentage of population with medical insurance: 59.00%
- Number of doctors per 1,000 residents: 3.8
- Life Expectancy Rate (at birth): 82.95
- Obesity rate: 32.00%
- Average number of working hours: 38
- Percentage of the adult population receiving support and coordinated mental health care: 47.10%
- The number of suicide attempts per 1,000 residents: 2.35
- Number of recorded incidents of violence in public places PER 1000 RESIDENTS: 0.64
Mobility & Transport
- Green Mobility Share (%): 15.00%
- Existence of electronic payment system for transportation services, such as payments by card at terminals or via a mobile app: yes
- Payment via the city's mobile application: yes
- Payment via a special payment card at a terminal in the public transport vehicle: yes
- Payment via a debit or credit card at a terminal in the public transport vehicle: yes
- Existence of intelligent traffic management system (ITS): yes
- Percentage of public transport vehicles (e.g., buses, metro, trams) fully adapted for people with mobility disabilities: 87
- Number of traffic-related fatalities per 10000 residents: 0.44
- City provide data on public transportation (e.g., departure times, real-time location of public transport vehicles) through an open data portal managed by the city or a government entity: yes
- City provide on its website, mobile app, or through collaboration with other entities the ability to plan a journey using public transportation, known as a journey planner: yes
Environment & Sustainability
- Efficient use of electricity (per GDP): 0.21
- Average PM10 value in the city: 14
- Existence of biodiversity protection strategy in the city: yes
- Percentage of the population that is served by sewage treatment facilities: 90.00%
- Number of parks per square kilometre: 0.01
- Existence of any documents or municipal legal solutions promoting the use of renewable energy: yes
- Existance of information about CO2 emissions: yes
Economy & Business
- Number of businesses per 1,000 residents: 9.22
- Number of new businesses per 1,000 residents: 0.11
- Unemployment rate: 7.00%
- Number of foreign affiliates per 10,000 residents: 1.8
- Percentage deviation in earnings relative to the national average: 23.00%
- Percentage of employed people with disabilities: 48.00%
The 2025 Happy CITY INDEX was developed with contributions from over 150 researchers worldwide, ensuring reliable and comparable data. While we strive to address data gaps and limitations, all data used in our analysis comes from verified sources.
Our methodology is designed to reduce potential errors and ensure accuracy in the final results. However, if you identify any inaccuracies, please email [email protected] with verifiable sources supporting the correction.
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Rank:
GOLD
Points:
846
Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, is a city that seamlessly blends tradition with modernity, offering a high quality of life, a strong economy, and a deep commitment to sustainability. With a population of 1,379,000 spread across a vast area of 3,259 square kilometers, it is a city that values space, community, and progress. Accounting for 5% of Australia's population, Adelaide thrives as an economic and cultural hub, with a GDP per capita of £46,925 and a steady real GDP growth of 1.3%. The city’s budget for 2024, standing at £141.9 million GBP, supports its extensive infrastructure and services, ensuring that Adelaide remains a vibrant and forward-thinking metropolis. Nearly 18% of the workforce is employed in public administration, reflecting a well-structured and efficient governance model.
Education and innovation are at the heart of Adelaide’s development. Home to a university ranked very high globally, the city fosters a strong culture of learning, with 21% of residents participating in lifelong education. However, higher education comes at a cost, with 18.2% of personal income required to cover study expenses. Digital literacy is widespread, with 80% of the population possessing digital skills, and intellectual progress is evident in the city’s 11.38 patents granted per 10,000 residents. Though only 22.8% of the population speaks at least one foreign language, Adelaide continues to attract international talent and investment through its growing research and innovation sector.
Governance in Adelaide is marked by transparency and civic participation. The city allocates 6.54% of its budget to projects run by NGOs, demonstrating a commitment to community-driven development. While only 0.03 per 1,000 residents are actively engaged in local governance structures, Adelaide maintains a robust open data policy, regularly publishing information on national platforms. With 16 datasets available to the public, the city ensures accessibility and informed decision-making. Digital services, including fault reporting, electronic payments, and online appointment scheduling, streamline public administration, and the city actively manages its development through three in-force sectoral strategies.
Adelaide places a strong emphasis on health and well-being. While 59% of residents have medical insurance, the city maintains a high healthcare standard, with 3.8 doctors per 1,000 residents. Life expectancy is impressive at 82.95 years, reflecting a generally healthy population, though an obesity rate of 32% presents a challenge. Mental health support is a priority, with nearly half the adult population (47.1%) receiving coordinated care. However, social concerns persist, with 2.35 suicide attempts per 1,000 residents and 0.64 recorded incidents of violence per 1,000 residents, underscoring the need for continued investment in public safety and social services.
Mobility in Adelaide is evolving, with a focus on accessibility and technological advancements. Green mobility accounts for 15% of transport use, and the city is equipped with an intelligent traffic management system to optimize movement. Public transport is highly accessible, with 87% of vehicles fully adapted for people with mobility disabilities. Digital solutions are well-integrated into the transportation network, allowing payment via mobile applications, special cards, and standard debit or credit cards. With a low traffic fatality rate of 0.44 per 10,000 residents, the city prioritizes safety. Real-time public transport data is available through open data portals, and journey planning tools enable residents to navigate the city efficiently.
Sustainability and environmental consciousness are key aspects of Adelaide’s identity. The city maintains an efficient use of electricity at 0.21 per GDP and boasts an average PM10 air quality value of just 14, ensuring a clean urban environment. Biodiversity protection is actively pursued, and 90% of the population is connected to sewage treatment facilities. Though the number of parks per square kilometer is relatively low at 0.01, Adelaide compensates with a strong commitment to renewable energy and CO2 emission monitoring. Municipal policies and legal solutions actively promote sustainability, ensuring the city remains a leader in environmental responsibility.
The economic landscape of Adelaide is diverse, with 9.22 businesses per 1,000 residents and 0.11 new businesses per 1,000 residents. The unemployment rate stands at 7%, reflecting ongoing challenges in job creation, though 48% of employed individuals with disabilities indicate an inclusive labor market. Earnings in Adelaide deviate 23% from the national average, underscoring its position as a competitive economic player within Australia.
Education and innovation are at the heart of Adelaide’s development. Home to a university ranked very high globally, the city fosters a strong culture of learning, with 21% of residents participating in lifelong education. However, higher education comes at a cost, with 18.2% of personal income required to cover study expenses. Digital literacy is widespread, with 80% of the population possessing digital skills, and intellectual progress is evident in the city’s 11.38 patents granted per 10,000 residents. Though only 22.8% of the population speaks at least one foreign language, Adelaide continues to attract international talent and investment through its growing research and innovation sector.
Governance in Adelaide is marked by transparency and civic participation. The city allocates 6.54% of its budget to projects run by NGOs, demonstrating a commitment to community-driven development. While only 0.03 per 1,000 residents are actively engaged in local governance structures, Adelaide maintains a robust open data policy, regularly publishing information on national platforms. With 16 datasets available to the public, the city ensures accessibility and informed decision-making. Digital services, including fault reporting, electronic payments, and online appointment scheduling, streamline public administration, and the city actively manages its development through three in-force sectoral strategies.
Adelaide places a strong emphasis on health and well-being. While 59% of residents have medical insurance, the city maintains a high healthcare standard, with 3.8 doctors per 1,000 residents. Life expectancy is impressive at 82.95 years, reflecting a generally healthy population, though an obesity rate of 32% presents a challenge. Mental health support is a priority, with nearly half the adult population (47.1%) receiving coordinated care. However, social concerns persist, with 2.35 suicide attempts per 1,000 residents and 0.64 recorded incidents of violence per 1,000 residents, underscoring the need for continued investment in public safety and social services.
Mobility in Adelaide is evolving, with a focus on accessibility and technological advancements. Green mobility accounts for 15% of transport use, and the city is equipped with an intelligent traffic management system to optimize movement. Public transport is highly accessible, with 87% of vehicles fully adapted for people with mobility disabilities. Digital solutions are well-integrated into the transportation network, allowing payment via mobile applications, special cards, and standard debit or credit cards. With a low traffic fatality rate of 0.44 per 10,000 residents, the city prioritizes safety. Real-time public transport data is available through open data portals, and journey planning tools enable residents to navigate the city efficiently.
Sustainability and environmental consciousness are key aspects of Adelaide’s identity. The city maintains an efficient use of electricity at 0.21 per GDP and boasts an average PM10 air quality value of just 14, ensuring a clean urban environment. Biodiversity protection is actively pursued, and 90% of the population is connected to sewage treatment facilities. Though the number of parks per square kilometer is relatively low at 0.01, Adelaide compensates with a strong commitment to renewable energy and CO2 emission monitoring. Municipal policies and legal solutions actively promote sustainability, ensuring the city remains a leader in environmental responsibility.
The economic landscape of Adelaide is diverse, with 9.22 businesses per 1,000 residents and 0.11 new businesses per 1,000 residents. The unemployment rate stands at 7%, reflecting ongoing challenges in job creation, though 48% of employed individuals with disabilities indicate an inclusive labor market. Earnings in Adelaide deviate 23% from the national average, underscoring its position as a competitive economic player within Australia.