City Profile: Antwerp
General Overview
• Country: Belgium
• Population of the city: 545878
• Area of the city measured in square kilometres (km²): 204
• Percentage of population of the country living in the city: 4.60%
• GDP PER PERSON: 51005
• REAL GDB - GROWTH: 6
• Percentage of all employed individuals in public administration: 21.10%
Education & Innovation
• The highest ranking position of university in global educational indexes: 251-300
• Percentage of citizens taking part in formal education - lifelong learning: 7.00%
• The percentage of income that should be allocated to cover the cost of studies: 5.90%
• Percentage of population of the city with a master's degree: 24.80%
• Percentage of the population who knew at least one foreign language: 56.50%
• Percentage of population with digital skills: 84.00%
• Patent granted per 10,000 residents: 0.95
Governance & Transparency
• Voter turnout in the most recent supranational elections (%): 89.01%
• 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: 837
• E-services: foult raporting system, electronic payments, on-line appointmen scheduling: yes
• Existence of up-to-date and officially adopted development strategy: yes
• Number of valid and currently in-force sectoral (thematic) strategies: 7
Health & Well-being
• Percentage of population with medical insurance: 99.00%
• Number of doctors per 1,000 residents: 6
• Life Expectancy Rate (at birth): 81.2
• Obesity rate: 16.00%
• Average number of working hours: 38
• Percentage of the adult population receiving support and coordinated mental health care: 10.40%
• The number of suicide attempts per 1,000 residents: 0.14
• Number of recorded incidents of violence in public places per 1000 residents: 12
Mobility & Transport
• Green Mobility Share (%): 53.20%
• 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: 92.5
• 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): 0.13
• Average PM10 value in the city: 19.4
• Existence of biodiversity protection strategy in the city: yes
• Percentage of the population that is served by sewage treatment facilities: 95.00%
• Number of parks per square kilometre: 0.07
• 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: 97.34
• Number of new businesses per 1,000 residents: 4.5
• Unemployment rate: 6.00%
• Number of foreign affiliates per 10,000 residents: 4.3
• Percentage deviation in earnings relative to the national average: 2.00%
General Overview
• Country: Belgium
• Population of the city: 545878
• Area of the city measured in square kilometres (km²): 204
• Percentage of population of the country living in the city: 4.60%
• GDP PER PERSON: 51005
• REAL GDB - GROWTH: 6
• Percentage of all employed individuals in public administration: 21.10%
Education & Innovation
• The highest ranking position of university in global educational indexes: 251-300
• Percentage of citizens taking part in formal education - lifelong learning: 7.00%
• The percentage of income that should be allocated to cover the cost of studies: 5.90%
• Percentage of population of the city with a master's degree: 24.80%
• Percentage of the population who knew at least one foreign language: 56.50%
• Percentage of population with digital skills: 84.00%
• Patent granted per 10,000 residents: 0.95
Governance & Transparency
• Voter turnout in the most recent supranational elections (%): 89.01%
• 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: 837
• E-services: foult raporting system, electronic payments, on-line appointmen scheduling: yes
• Existence of up-to-date and officially adopted development strategy: yes
• Number of valid and currently in-force sectoral (thematic) strategies: 7
Health & Well-being
• Percentage of population with medical insurance: 99.00%
• Number of doctors per 1,000 residents: 6
• Life Expectancy Rate (at birth): 81.2
• Obesity rate: 16.00%
• Average number of working hours: 38
• Percentage of the adult population receiving support and coordinated mental health care: 10.40%
• The number of suicide attempts per 1,000 residents: 0.14
• Number of recorded incidents of violence in public places per 1000 residents: 12
Mobility & Transport
• Green Mobility Share (%): 53.20%
• 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: 92.5
• 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): 0.13
• Average PM10 value in the city: 19.4
• Existence of biodiversity protection strategy in the city: yes
• Percentage of the population that is served by sewage treatment facilities: 95.00%
• Number of parks per square kilometre: 0.07
• 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: 97.34
• Number of new businesses per 1,000 residents: 4.5
• Unemployment rate: 6.00%
• Number of foreign affiliates per 10,000 residents: 4.3
• Percentage deviation in earnings relative to the national average: 2.00%
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:
956
Antwerp, the beating heart of Belgium’s economic and cultural landscape, is a city that effortlessly blends history, commerce, and innovation. With a population of 545,878 spread over 204 square kilometers, it is a dynamic metropolis that represents 4.6% of the country's population. The city's strong economic foundation is reflected in its GDP per capita of £51,005 and an impressive real GDP growth rate of 6%. Public administration plays a significant role in the city's workforce, with 21.1% of employed individuals working in government-related roles, ensuring efficient governance and urban management.
Education and innovation shape Antwerp’s progress. The city is home to a university ranked within the global top 300, fostering a culture of learning and research. Around 7% of residents actively engage in lifelong learning, and nearly a quarter (24.8%) of the population holds a master's degree. Digital skills are widespread, with 84% of citizens proficient in digital technologies, while 56.5% of the population speaks at least one foreign language, contributing to Antwerp’s international appeal. Innovation, however, is modestly paced, with 0.95 patents granted per 10,000 residents.
Governance in Antwerp is marked by transparency and civic engagement. Voter participation in the most recent supranational elections was exceptionally high at 89.01%, demonstrating a politically engaged populace. The city maintains an extensive open data policy, publishing 837 datasets, and offers key digital services such as fault reporting, electronic payments, and online appointment scheduling. Antwerp’s governance strategy is well-structured, with an up-to-date development strategy and seven sectoral plans guiding urban progress and development.
Antwerp’s commitment to health and well-being is evident in its extensive healthcare infrastructure. With 99% of the population covered by medical insurance and six doctors per 1,000 residents, access to medical care is among the best in the region. Life expectancy stands at 81.2 years, while the obesity rate is relatively low at 16%, reflecting a health-conscious population. Mental health care support reaches 10.4% of the adult population, and suicide rates are low at 0.14 per 1,000 residents. However, Antwerp faces challenges in public safety, with 12 recorded incidents of violence per 1,000 residents, underscoring the need for continued investment in community security initiatives.
Sustainable mobility is a defining feature of Antwerp’s urban design. Over half (53.2%) of the city’s transportation falls under green mobility, supported by an advanced intelligent traffic management system. Public transport is well-integrated, with 92.5% of vehicles fully accessible for individuals with mobility disabilities. Payment for transport services is streamlined, with multiple options including mobile applications, special transport cards, and direct debit or credit card transactions. Open data services provide real-time information on public transport, and journey planning tools enable seamless navigation across the city.
Antwerp is deeply committed to environmental sustainability. The city efficiently manages its electricity consumption at 0.13 per GDP, while air quality remains a focus, with an average PM10 level of 19.4. A biodiversity protection strategy is in place. The city boasts a 95% sewage treatment coverage, ensuring sanitary water management. Green spaces are more limited, with 0.07 parks per square kilometer, but Antwerp compensates with robust policies promoting renewable energy and CO2 emission monitoring.
Antwerp’s economic landscape is diverse and thriving. The city supports 97.34 businesses per 1,000 residents, with 4.5 new businesses established per 1,000 residents annually. The unemployment rate is moderate at 6%. Salaries in Antwerp remain competitive, with earnings deviating just 2% from the national average, reflecting a stable and prosperous economy.
Education and innovation shape Antwerp’s progress. The city is home to a university ranked within the global top 300, fostering a culture of learning and research. Around 7% of residents actively engage in lifelong learning, and nearly a quarter (24.8%) of the population holds a master's degree. Digital skills are widespread, with 84% of citizens proficient in digital technologies, while 56.5% of the population speaks at least one foreign language, contributing to Antwerp’s international appeal. Innovation, however, is modestly paced, with 0.95 patents granted per 10,000 residents.
Governance in Antwerp is marked by transparency and civic engagement. Voter participation in the most recent supranational elections was exceptionally high at 89.01%, demonstrating a politically engaged populace. The city maintains an extensive open data policy, publishing 837 datasets, and offers key digital services such as fault reporting, electronic payments, and online appointment scheduling. Antwerp’s governance strategy is well-structured, with an up-to-date development strategy and seven sectoral plans guiding urban progress and development.
Antwerp’s commitment to health and well-being is evident in its extensive healthcare infrastructure. With 99% of the population covered by medical insurance and six doctors per 1,000 residents, access to medical care is among the best in the region. Life expectancy stands at 81.2 years, while the obesity rate is relatively low at 16%, reflecting a health-conscious population. Mental health care support reaches 10.4% of the adult population, and suicide rates are low at 0.14 per 1,000 residents. However, Antwerp faces challenges in public safety, with 12 recorded incidents of violence per 1,000 residents, underscoring the need for continued investment in community security initiatives.
Sustainable mobility is a defining feature of Antwerp’s urban design. Over half (53.2%) of the city’s transportation falls under green mobility, supported by an advanced intelligent traffic management system. Public transport is well-integrated, with 92.5% of vehicles fully accessible for individuals with mobility disabilities. Payment for transport services is streamlined, with multiple options including mobile applications, special transport cards, and direct debit or credit card transactions. Open data services provide real-time information on public transport, and journey planning tools enable seamless navigation across the city.
Antwerp is deeply committed to environmental sustainability. The city efficiently manages its electricity consumption at 0.13 per GDP, while air quality remains a focus, with an average PM10 level of 19.4. A biodiversity protection strategy is in place. The city boasts a 95% sewage treatment coverage, ensuring sanitary water management. Green spaces are more limited, with 0.07 parks per square kilometer, but Antwerp compensates with robust policies promoting renewable energy and CO2 emission monitoring.
Antwerp’s economic landscape is diverse and thriving. The city supports 97.34 businesses per 1,000 residents, with 4.5 new businesses established per 1,000 residents annually. The unemployment rate is moderate at 6%. Salaries in Antwerp remain competitive, with earnings deviating just 2% from the national average, reflecting a stable and prosperous economy.