City Profile: Berlin
General Overview
Education & Innovation
Governance & Transparency
Health & Well-being
Mobility & Transport
Environment & Sustainability
Economy & Business
General Overview
- Country: Germany
- Population of the city: 3782202
- Area of the city measured in square kilometres (km²): 891.1
- Budget of the city in 2024 (GBP): 33 930 000 000 GBP
- Percentage of population of the country living in the city: 4.50%
- GDP PER PERSON: 36664
- REAL GDB - GROWTH: 0.2
- Percentage of all employed individuals in public administration: 11.10%
Education & Innovation
- The highest ranking position of university in global educational indexes: 51-100
- 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: 0.00%
- Percentage of the population who knew at least one foreign language: 67.00%
- Percentage of population with digital skills: 67.00%
- Patent granted per 10,000 residents: 2.64
Governance & Transparency
- Voter turnout in the most recent supranational elections (%): 62.20%
- Voter turnout in the last local elections (%): 62.90%
- 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: 3171
- Existene-services: fault reporting, 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: 8
Health & Well-being
- Percentage of population with medical insurance: 100.00%
- Number of doctors per 1,000 residents: 4.5
- Life Expectancy Rate (at birth): 80.75
- Obesity rate: 25.00%
- Average number of working hours: 34.3
- Percentage of the adult population receiving support and coordinated mental health care: 27.80%
- The number of suicide attempts per 1,000 residents: 0.12
- Number of recorded incidents of violence in public places per 1000 residents: 1.98
Mobility & Transport
- Green Mobility Share (%): 75.00%
- 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: 0.1
- Distance to the nearest airport offering international flights: 0
- Number of traffic-related fatalities per 10000 residents: 0.15
- 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): 0.16
- Average PM10 value in the city: 18.08
- Existence of biodiversity protection strategy in the city: yes
- Percentage of the population that is served by sewage treatment facilities: 90.00%
- Recycling rate: 60.00%
- Number of parks per square kilometre: 2.81
- Existence of any documents or municipal legal solutions promoting the use of renewable energy: yes
Economy & Business
- Number of businesses per 1,000 residents: 1110.46
- Unemployment rate: 9.00%
- Number of foreign affiliates per 10,000 residents: 1.8
- Percentage deviation in earnings relative to the national average: 5.00%
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:
905
Berlin represents 4.5% of Germany’s total population. The city operates with an impressive budget of £33.93 billion GBP for 2024, ensuring that its infrastructure, public services, and economic initiatives continue to thrive. With a GDP per capita of £36,664 and a steady real GDP growth of 0.2%, Berlin remains a vital economic hub in Europe. Public administration plays a significant role in the city’s workforce, employing 11.1% of all workers, ensuring efficient governance and city planning.
Education and innovation are deeply ingrained in Berlin’s identity. The city is home to a globally ranked university within the 51-100 range, attracting students and researchers from across the world. Lifelong learning is embraced by 7% of the population, and access to higher education is free, requiring no direct income allocation for studies. Digital proficiency remains an area for growth, with 67% of the population possessing digital skills, though linguistic diversity is high, with 67% of residents fluent in at least one foreign language. Berlin’s role as a center for technological advancement is evident, with 2.64 patents granted per 10,000 residents, highlighting its contributions to research and industry.
Governance and civic engagement are strong pillars of Berlin’s identity. Voter participation is high, with 62.9% turnout in the last local elections and 62.2% in supranational elections, reflecting an engaged and politically active population. The city prioritizes transparency, maintaining an extensive open data platform with 3,171 publicly available datasets. Digital services are seamlessly integrated, offering fault reporting, electronic payments, and online appointment scheduling. Berlin also operates under a well-defined strategic framework, with eight sectoral strategies guiding its development.
Health and well-being are fundamental aspects of Berlin’s urban landscape. The city ensures universal healthcare, with 100% of the population covered by medical insurance and access to 4.5 doctors per 1,000 residents. Life expectancy stands at 80.75 years, supported by a strong public health system. Despite an obesity rate of 25%, the city promotes an active lifestyle, with an average workweek of 34.3 hours. Mental health services are well-developed, assisting 27.8% of the adult population, while the suicide attempt rate remains low at 0.12 per 1,000 residents. Public safety is well-maintained, with only 1.98 recorded incidents of violence per 1,000 residents.
Berlin’s transportation system is one of the most efficient in Europe, with 75% of all mobility classified as green. The city features an intelligent traffic management system, ensuring seamless travel, and a well-developed public transport network, with 0.1 kilometers available per 100 residents. Accessibility is a priority, and multiple payment options for transportation, including mobile apps and special transport cards, make commuting convenient. The city’s proximity to an international airport provides direct global connectivity. With a low traffic fatality rate of 0.15 per 10,000 residents, Berlin prioritizes safety in mobility, and open data services provide real-time transport information and journey planning tools.
Environmental sustainability is at the core of Berlin’s urban planning. The city efficiently manages electricity use at 0.16 per GDP and maintains an average PM10 air quality index of 18.08, ensuring clean and breathable air. Biodiversity protection strategies are in place, and 90% of residents benefit from sewage treatment facilities. Recycling initiatives are highly effective, with a 60% recycling rate. Green spaces are abundant, with 2.81 parks per square kilometer, offering residents ample opportunities for recreation and relaxation. Policies promoting renewable energy adoption further reinforce Berlin’s commitment to sustainability.
Berlin’s economic landscape is diverse and dynamic, hosting an impressive 1,110.46 businesses per 1,000 residents. The unemployment rate stands at 9%, reflecting ongoing efforts to strengthen job creation. The city remains attractive to international investors. Salaries in Berlin are competitive, with earnings deviating 5% above the national average, reinforcing its position as a major European economic center.
Education and innovation are deeply ingrained in Berlin’s identity. The city is home to a globally ranked university within the 51-100 range, attracting students and researchers from across the world. Lifelong learning is embraced by 7% of the population, and access to higher education is free, requiring no direct income allocation for studies. Digital proficiency remains an area for growth, with 67% of the population possessing digital skills, though linguistic diversity is high, with 67% of residents fluent in at least one foreign language. Berlin’s role as a center for technological advancement is evident, with 2.64 patents granted per 10,000 residents, highlighting its contributions to research and industry.
Governance and civic engagement are strong pillars of Berlin’s identity. Voter participation is high, with 62.9% turnout in the last local elections and 62.2% in supranational elections, reflecting an engaged and politically active population. The city prioritizes transparency, maintaining an extensive open data platform with 3,171 publicly available datasets. Digital services are seamlessly integrated, offering fault reporting, electronic payments, and online appointment scheduling. Berlin also operates under a well-defined strategic framework, with eight sectoral strategies guiding its development.
Health and well-being are fundamental aspects of Berlin’s urban landscape. The city ensures universal healthcare, with 100% of the population covered by medical insurance and access to 4.5 doctors per 1,000 residents. Life expectancy stands at 80.75 years, supported by a strong public health system. Despite an obesity rate of 25%, the city promotes an active lifestyle, with an average workweek of 34.3 hours. Mental health services are well-developed, assisting 27.8% of the adult population, while the suicide attempt rate remains low at 0.12 per 1,000 residents. Public safety is well-maintained, with only 1.98 recorded incidents of violence per 1,000 residents.
Berlin’s transportation system is one of the most efficient in Europe, with 75% of all mobility classified as green. The city features an intelligent traffic management system, ensuring seamless travel, and a well-developed public transport network, with 0.1 kilometers available per 100 residents. Accessibility is a priority, and multiple payment options for transportation, including mobile apps and special transport cards, make commuting convenient. The city’s proximity to an international airport provides direct global connectivity. With a low traffic fatality rate of 0.15 per 10,000 residents, Berlin prioritizes safety in mobility, and open data services provide real-time transport information and journey planning tools.
Environmental sustainability is at the core of Berlin’s urban planning. The city efficiently manages electricity use at 0.16 per GDP and maintains an average PM10 air quality index of 18.08, ensuring clean and breathable air. Biodiversity protection strategies are in place, and 90% of residents benefit from sewage treatment facilities. Recycling initiatives are highly effective, with a 60% recycling rate. Green spaces are abundant, with 2.81 parks per square kilometer, offering residents ample opportunities for recreation and relaxation. Policies promoting renewable energy adoption further reinforce Berlin’s commitment to sustainability.
Berlin’s economic landscape is diverse and dynamic, hosting an impressive 1,110.46 businesses per 1,000 residents. The unemployment rate stands at 9%, reflecting ongoing efforts to strengthen job creation. The city remains attractive to international investors. Salaries in Berlin are competitive, with earnings deviating 5% above the national average, reinforcing its position as a major European economic center.