Barcelona

BARCELONA (rank 12) - Spain

Methodology and interpretation notice

The Happy City Index is an independent comparative research project based on a structured methodology and multi-source data assessment. The results presented here are provided for informational and benchmarking purposes only and should not be treated as a definitive or exhaustive statement of fact.

For proper interpretation, readers should consult the published methodology and verify relevant data with official sources where necessary.

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Happy City Index 2026

Barcelona compared with the overall Index average

Total score 6668.44

Category GOLD

The table below presents all 64 Happy City Index indicators for Barcelona against the overall average.

Theme: Citizens

Indicator

Barcelona

Overall average

Urban Innovation Ecosystem Potential

30.35

86.02

School Density

3.35

0.71

Higher Education Accessibility

yes

—

Presence of a Globally Ranked Higher Education Institution

145

276.16

Cost of Higher Education Compared to Average Annual Salary

0.07%

Residents with a Master's Degree (%)

14.2%

12.40%

Population Able to Communicate in a Foreign Language (%)

14.7

34.14%

Use of Electronic Banking Services (%)

74.77

79.27%

Population Aged 65+ Benefiting from Municipal Home Care (%)

10.9%

10.51%

Homeless People per 10,000 Residents

8.03

5.27

Theme: Governance

Indicator

Barcelona

Overall average

Availability of City Website

2.11

Net Internal Migration Rate per 1,000 Population

26.60

3.58

Pupils per School Building

305.66

380.04

Employment in Creative Industries (%)

3.6

4.62%

Housing Affordability Ratio

6.27

5.12

Housing Affordability Ratio (Rent)

43%

32.32%

Cultural Institutions per 100,000 Residents

7.9

8.15

Libraries per 10 km²

3.94

1.16

Voter Turnout in the Last Local Elections (%)

60.57

49.79%

Open Data Portal Availability

yes

—

Datasets Available in Machine-Readable Formats

yes

—

Fault Reporting System via Website or Mobile App

yes

—

Electronic Payments for Municipal Services

yes

—

Online Appointment Booking with City Hall

yes

—

Up-to-Date Official Development Strategy

yes

—

Key Elements Included in the Strategy

4.5

AI Awareness in City Strategies

yes

—

Theme: Environment

Indicator

Barcelona

Overall average

Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration

14.00

11.86

Green Mobility Share (%)

67.5%

45.25%

Waste Generated per Resident

0.44

0.51

Population Served by Sewage Treatment Facilities (%)

95.46%

Recycling Rate (%)

39.4

44.29%

Landfill Waste Burden

0.267

0.28

Biodiversity Protection Strategy

yes

—

Theme: Economy

Indicator

Barcelona

Overall average

GDP per Capita

26,569 GBP

36,208 GBP

GDP Growth (%)

2.80%

0.02%

Patents per 100,000 Inhabitants

24.64

178.84

Businesses per 1,000 Residents

261.87

138.18

City Fiscal Power Index

17.75%

25.56%

Annual Average Unemployment Rate

8.1

5.58%

Annual Average Youth Unemployment Rate

21.2

12.44%

Youth Unemployment Ratio

2.6

2.46

Percentage Deviation in Earnings Relative to the National Average

33%

43.01%

Paid Parental Leave Weeks at 50% or More of Salary

24.21

Theme: Health

Indicator

Barcelona

Overall average

Psychiatrists per 100,000 Inhabitants

13.50

16.38

Mental Health or Well-Being Strategy

yes

—

Strategy to Prevent and Address Hate Speech or Cyberbullying

yes

—

Licensed Medical Doctors Practising in the City (FTE)

6.12

5.18

Population Covered by Medical Insurance (%)

100

97.69%

Intentional Homicides per 100,000 Residents

7.51

20.62

Adults Classified as Overweight or Obese (%)

53.3

52.29%

Parks per km²

1.87

1.09

Green Space per Capita

16.57

72.57

Average Weekly Working Hours

40.2

40.52

Average Number of Paid Vacation Days

21.51

Life Expectancy at Birth

84.45

81.26

Theme: Mobility

Indicator

Barcelona

Overall average

Accessibility of Electronic Payment Systems in Transport

2.51

Distance to the Nearest International Airport

21.44

Access Modes to the Nearest Airport

4.00

3.17

Public Transport Ridership per Capita

406.30

193.80

Accessible Public Transport Fleet (%)

100

91.18%

Road Traffic Accidents per 1,000 Residents

3.87

8.13

Open Public Transport Data Availability

yes

—

Integrated Journey Planner Availability

yes

—