City Profile: Auckland
General Overview
Education & Innovation
Governance & Transparency
Health & Well-being
Mobility & Transport
Environment & Sustainability
Economy & Business
General Overview
- Country: NewZealand
- Population of the city: 1402275
- Area of the city measured in square kilometres (km²): 1086
- Budget of the city in 2024 (GBP): 2 430 000 000 GBP
- Percentage of population of the country living in the city: 26.90%
- GDP PER PERSON: 27426
- REAL GDB - GROWTH: -1
- Percentage of all employed individuals in public administration: 19.20%
Education & Innovation
- The highest ranking position of university in global educational indexes: 51-100
- Percentage of citizens taking part in formal education - lifelong learning: 11.00%
- The percentage of income that should be allocated to cover the cost of studies: 0.00%
- Percentage of population of the city with a master's degree: 6.80%
- Percentage of the population who knew at least one foreign language: 43.60%
- Percentage of population with digital skills: 96.00%
- Patent granted per 10,000 residents: 4.17
Governance & Transparency
- Voter turnout in the last local elections (%): 35.40%
- 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: 174
- E-service: fault reporting system , electronic payments, on-line appointment scheduling: yes
- Existence of up-to-date and officially adopted development strategy: yes
- Number of valid and currently in-force sectoral (thematic) strategies: 15
Health & Well-being
- Percentage of population with medical insurance: 100.00%
- Number of doctors per 1,000 residents: 3.6
- Life Expectancy Rate (at birth): 83.4
- Obesity rate: 34.00%
- Average number of working hours: 40
- Percentage of the adult population receiving support and coordinated mental health care: 34.80%
- The number of suicide attempts per 1,000 residents: 0.12
- Number of recorded incidents of violence in public places per 1000 residents: 84.61
Mobility & Transport
- Green Mobility Share (%): 18.00%
- 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
- Public transport network km per 100 resident: 0.07
- Percentage of public transport vehicles (e.g., buses, metro, trams) fully adapted for people with mobility disabilities: 95
- 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): 0.27
- Existence of biodiversity protection strategy in the city: yes
- Percentage of the population that is served by sewage treatment facilities: 99.00%
- Number of parks per square kilometre: 3.68
- 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: 155.47
- Number of new businesses per 1,000 residents: 1.33
- Unemployment rate: 5.00%
- Number of foreign affiliates per 10,000 residents: 2.3
- Percentage deviation in earnings relative to the national average: 66.00%
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.
We appreciate your understanding and your willingness to contribute to one of the world’s most comprehensive studies on sustainable urban development.
Rank:
GOLD
Points:
853
Auckland, New Zealand’s largest and most vibrant city, is a dynamic metropolis where urban energy meets breathtaking natural beauty. Home to 1,402,275 residents and covering 1,086 square kilometers, the city represents 26.9% of the country’s population, making it the economic and cultural heart of New Zealand. Despite recent economic challenges, with a real GDP growth rate of -1%, Auckland remains a powerhouse with a GDP per capita of £27,426. The city operates on a substantial budget of £2.43 billion GBP for 2024, ensuring continued investment in infrastructure, public services, and development projects. Public administration plays a notable role in employment, accounting for 19.2% of the city’s workforce.
Education and innovation are integral to Auckland’s identity. Home to a top-ranking global university positioned within the 51-100 range, the city fosters a strong learning culture, with 11% of residents engaged in lifelong education. Higher education is accessible, with no income allocation required to cover study costs. However, only 6.8% of the population holds a master’s degree. The city is linguistically diverse, with 43.6% of its population fluent in at least one foreign language, and digital proficiency is high, with 96% of residents possessing digital skills. Innovation is evident, with 4.17 patents granted per 10,000 residents, highlighting Auckland’s role as a center for technological and business growth.
Governance and civic participation present a mixed picture. While voter turnout in the last local elections stood at 35.4%, the city is committed to transparency and accessibility. Auckland maintains an extensive open data system, providing 174 datasets to the public and offering digital services such as fault reporting, electronic payments, and online appointment scheduling. The city follows a structured approach to urban development, guided by an officially adopted strategy and an impressive 15 sectoral strategies in force to shape its future.
Health and well-being are priorities in Auckland, with universal medical insurance coverage ensuring that all residents have access to healthcare. The city has 3.6 doctors per 1,000 residents, and life expectancy is high at 83.4 years. However, public health challenges persist, with an obesity rate of 34% and 34.8% of the adult population receiving coordinated mental health support. Suicide rates are relatively low at 0.12 per 1,000 residents, but public safety remains a concern, with 84.61 recorded incidents of violence per 1,000 residents, emphasizing the need for continued investment in social security and crime prevention initiatives.
Auckland’s transport system is evolving, with a focus on integrating smart mobility solutions. Green mobility accounts for 18% of all transport, and the city is equipped with an intelligent traffic management system to optimize urban movement. Public transport is well-adapted for accessibility, with 95% of vehicles fully accommodating individuals with mobility disabilities. A public transport network density of 0.07 km per 100 residents, along with advanced digital payment solutions via mobile applications, special transport cards, and debit or credit cards, ensures a seamless commuting experience. Auckland’s open data policies further enhance mobility, offering real-time transport information and digital journey planning tools.
Sustainability is deeply embedded in Auckland’s urban development. The city effectively manages electricity use at 0.27 per GDP and implements a biodiversity protection strategy to preserve its unique natural environment. Nearly the entire population—99%—is served by sewage treatment facilities, and green spaces flourish, with 3.68 parks per square kilometer, offering residents a high quality of life. Policies promoting renewable energy are actively enforced, and Auckland continuously monitors CO2 emissions to align with its climate goals.
The economic landscape of Auckland is diverse and entrepreneurial, with 155.47 businesses per 1,000 residents and 1.33 new businesses established per 1,000 residents annually. The city maintains a relatively low unemployment rate of 5%, and foreign investment is present. Earnings in Auckland stand significantly above the national average, with a 66% deviation, highlighting the city’s economic prominence.
Education and innovation are integral to Auckland’s identity. Home to a top-ranking global university positioned within the 51-100 range, the city fosters a strong learning culture, with 11% of residents engaged in lifelong education. Higher education is accessible, with no income allocation required to cover study costs. However, only 6.8% of the population holds a master’s degree. The city is linguistically diverse, with 43.6% of its population fluent in at least one foreign language, and digital proficiency is high, with 96% of residents possessing digital skills. Innovation is evident, with 4.17 patents granted per 10,000 residents, highlighting Auckland’s role as a center for technological and business growth.
Governance and civic participation present a mixed picture. While voter turnout in the last local elections stood at 35.4%, the city is committed to transparency and accessibility. Auckland maintains an extensive open data system, providing 174 datasets to the public and offering digital services such as fault reporting, electronic payments, and online appointment scheduling. The city follows a structured approach to urban development, guided by an officially adopted strategy and an impressive 15 sectoral strategies in force to shape its future.
Health and well-being are priorities in Auckland, with universal medical insurance coverage ensuring that all residents have access to healthcare. The city has 3.6 doctors per 1,000 residents, and life expectancy is high at 83.4 years. However, public health challenges persist, with an obesity rate of 34% and 34.8% of the adult population receiving coordinated mental health support. Suicide rates are relatively low at 0.12 per 1,000 residents, but public safety remains a concern, with 84.61 recorded incidents of violence per 1,000 residents, emphasizing the need for continued investment in social security and crime prevention initiatives.
Auckland’s transport system is evolving, with a focus on integrating smart mobility solutions. Green mobility accounts for 18% of all transport, and the city is equipped with an intelligent traffic management system to optimize urban movement. Public transport is well-adapted for accessibility, with 95% of vehicles fully accommodating individuals with mobility disabilities. A public transport network density of 0.07 km per 100 residents, along with advanced digital payment solutions via mobile applications, special transport cards, and debit or credit cards, ensures a seamless commuting experience. Auckland’s open data policies further enhance mobility, offering real-time transport information and digital journey planning tools.
Sustainability is deeply embedded in Auckland’s urban development. The city effectively manages electricity use at 0.27 per GDP and implements a biodiversity protection strategy to preserve its unique natural environment. Nearly the entire population—99%—is served by sewage treatment facilities, and green spaces flourish, with 3.68 parks per square kilometer, offering residents a high quality of life. Policies promoting renewable energy are actively enforced, and Auckland continuously monitors CO2 emissions to align with its climate goals.
The economic landscape of Auckland is diverse and entrepreneurial, with 155.47 businesses per 1,000 residents and 1.33 new businesses established per 1,000 residents annually. The city maintains a relatively low unemployment rate of 5%, and foreign investment is present. Earnings in Auckland stand significantly above the national average, with a 66% deviation, highlighting the city’s economic prominence.