City Profile: Brussels
General Overview
Education & Innovation
Governance & Transparency
Health & Well-being
Mobility & Transport
Environment & Sustainability
Economy & Business
General Overview
- Country: Belgium
- Population of the city: 1249597
- Area of the city measured in square kilometres (km²): 162
- Budget of the city in 2024 (GBP): 5 813 684 000 GBP
- Percentage of population of the country living in the city: 10.60%
- 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: 23.70%
- Percentage of the population who knew at least one foreign language: 48.00%
- 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%
- Voter turnout in the last local elections (%): 80.60%
- Percentage of the city's budget to supporting innovation: 1.00%
- Percentage of the city’s budget allocated to projects run by NGOs: 0.54%
- Number of residents (per 1000) involved in local governance structures: 0.22
- 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: 500
- E-services: 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: 10
Health & Well-being
- Percentage of population with medical insurance: 99.00%
- Number of doctors per 1,000 residents: 6
- Life Expectancy Rate (at birth): 82.2
- Obesity rate: 16.00%
- Average number of working hours: 35.3
- 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: 8.23
Mobility & Transport
- Green Mobility Share (%): 69.00%
- 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: 0.06
- Distance to the nearest airport offering international flights: 0
- Percentage of public transport vehicles (e.g., buses, metro, trams) fully adapted for people with mobility disabilities: 89.6
- Number of traffic-related fatalities per 10000 residents: 0.08
- 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: 16.7
- Existence of biodiversity protection strategy in the city: yes
- Amount of waste produced per resident (tons): 0.21
- Percentage of the population that is served by sewage treatment facilities: 100.00%
- Recycling rate: 17.00%
- Number of parks per square kilometre: 1.09
- 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: 108.7
- Number of new businesses per 1,000 residents: 9.17
- Unemployment rate: 15.00%
- Number of foreign affiliates per 10,000 residents: 9.4
- Percentage deviation in earnings relative to the national average: 16.00%
- Percentage of employed people with disabilities: 17.00%
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:
887
Brussels, the political and economic heart of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union, is a city that seamlessly blends history, governance, and modern urban living. With a population of 1,249,597 spread across 162 square kilometers, it accounts for 10.6% of Belgium’s total population. The city thrives on a strong economy, boasting a GDP per capita of £51,005 and an impressive real GDP growth rate of 6%. Operating with a 2024 budget of £5.81 billion GBP, Brussels prioritizes governance, infrastructure, and economic development, with 21.1% of the workforce employed in public administration, reflecting its role as a hub of national and international governance.
Education and innovation play a crucial role in shaping Brussels' future. Home to a university ranked within the 251-300 range globally, the city fosters a culture of learning, with 7% of residents engaged in lifelong education. While higher education requires a modest 5.9% of income allocation, 23.7% of the population holds a master's degree, indicating a well-educated workforce. The city’s linguistic diversity is notable, with 48% of residents fluent in at least one foreign language, and digital skills are well-integrated, with 84% of the population proficient in digital technology. Innovation is moderate, with 0.95 patents granted per 10,000 residents, leaving room for further growth in research and development.
Governance and transparency are pillars of Brussels’ identity. The city boasts high voter participation, with 80.6% turnout in the last local elections and 89.01% in supranational elections, reflecting strong civic engagement. Despite allocating just 1% of its budget to innovation and 0.54% to NGO-led projects, Brussels remains highly transparent, maintaining an open data portal with 500 datasets available to the public. Digital governance is advanced, with e-services such as fault reporting, electronic payments, and online appointment scheduling widely accessible. The city follows a structured development strategy, supported by 10 sectoral strategies that guide its long-term growth and policy initiatives.
Health and well-being are well supported in Brussels. With 99% of the population covered by medical insurance and six doctors per 1,000 residents, healthcare accessibility is among the best in Europe. The city enjoys a high life expectancy of 82.2 years, while the obesity rate remains relatively low at 16%. Mental health support is available to 10.4% of the adult population, and suicide rates are low at 0.14 per 1,000 residents. Public safety, however, remains a concern, with 8.23 recorded incidents of violence per 1,000 residents, highlighting the need for ongoing security improvements and social programs.
Sustainable mobility is a key focus for Brussels, with 69% of its transportation classified as green. The city boasts an intelligent traffic management system, ensuring efficient urban movement. Public transport is highly accessible, with 89.6% of vehicles fully adapted for individuals with mobility disabilities. The public transport network extends 0.06 kilometers per 100 residents, and digital payment options—via mobile apps, special transport cards, and debit or credit cards—enhance user convenience. Brussels benefits from its proximity to an international airport, offering seamless global connectivity. Traffic safety is a priority, with a low fatality rate of 0.08 per 10,000 residents, and the city provides open data and journey planning tools for efficient commuting.
Environmental sustainability is embedded in Brussels’ urban development. The city efficiently manages electricity consumption at 0.13 per GDP and maintains a PM10 air quality index of 16.7, ensuring clean air for residents. Biodiversity protection strategies are in place, and 100% of the population benefits from sewage treatment facilities. Waste management efforts continue to evolve, with a recycling rate of 17% and an annual waste production of 0.21 tons per resident. Green spaces are integrated into the city’s layout, with 1.09 parks per square kilometer, providing residents with accessible natural areas. Brussels actively promotes renewable energy adoption and closely monitors CO2 emissions to align with sustainability goals.
Brussels’ economy is diverse and dynamic, with 108.7 businesses per 1,000 residents and an impressive 9.17 new businesses established per 1,000 residents annually. However, the city faces economic challenges, with an unemployment rate of 15%, highlighting the need for continued job creation efforts. Foreign investment remains strong, reinforcing Brussels' role as an international business hub. Earnings in the city are competitive, with a 16% deviation above the national average, and inclusivity is a priority, with 17% of employed individuals being people with disabilities.
Education and innovation play a crucial role in shaping Brussels' future. Home to a university ranked within the 251-300 range globally, the city fosters a culture of learning, with 7% of residents engaged in lifelong education. While higher education requires a modest 5.9% of income allocation, 23.7% of the population holds a master's degree, indicating a well-educated workforce. The city’s linguistic diversity is notable, with 48% of residents fluent in at least one foreign language, and digital skills are well-integrated, with 84% of the population proficient in digital technology. Innovation is moderate, with 0.95 patents granted per 10,000 residents, leaving room for further growth in research and development.
Governance and transparency are pillars of Brussels’ identity. The city boasts high voter participation, with 80.6% turnout in the last local elections and 89.01% in supranational elections, reflecting strong civic engagement. Despite allocating just 1% of its budget to innovation and 0.54% to NGO-led projects, Brussels remains highly transparent, maintaining an open data portal with 500 datasets available to the public. Digital governance is advanced, with e-services such as fault reporting, electronic payments, and online appointment scheduling widely accessible. The city follows a structured development strategy, supported by 10 sectoral strategies that guide its long-term growth and policy initiatives.
Health and well-being are well supported in Brussels. With 99% of the population covered by medical insurance and six doctors per 1,000 residents, healthcare accessibility is among the best in Europe. The city enjoys a high life expectancy of 82.2 years, while the obesity rate remains relatively low at 16%. Mental health support is available to 10.4% of the adult population, and suicide rates are low at 0.14 per 1,000 residents. Public safety, however, remains a concern, with 8.23 recorded incidents of violence per 1,000 residents, highlighting the need for ongoing security improvements and social programs.
Sustainable mobility is a key focus for Brussels, with 69% of its transportation classified as green. The city boasts an intelligent traffic management system, ensuring efficient urban movement. Public transport is highly accessible, with 89.6% of vehicles fully adapted for individuals with mobility disabilities. The public transport network extends 0.06 kilometers per 100 residents, and digital payment options—via mobile apps, special transport cards, and debit or credit cards—enhance user convenience. Brussels benefits from its proximity to an international airport, offering seamless global connectivity. Traffic safety is a priority, with a low fatality rate of 0.08 per 10,000 residents, and the city provides open data and journey planning tools for efficient commuting.
Environmental sustainability is embedded in Brussels’ urban development. The city efficiently manages electricity consumption at 0.13 per GDP and maintains a PM10 air quality index of 16.7, ensuring clean air for residents. Biodiversity protection strategies are in place, and 100% of the population benefits from sewage treatment facilities. Waste management efforts continue to evolve, with a recycling rate of 17% and an annual waste production of 0.21 tons per resident. Green spaces are integrated into the city’s layout, with 1.09 parks per square kilometer, providing residents with accessible natural areas. Brussels actively promotes renewable energy adoption and closely monitors CO2 emissions to align with sustainability goals.
Brussels’ economy is diverse and dynamic, with 108.7 businesses per 1,000 residents and an impressive 9.17 new businesses established per 1,000 residents annually. However, the city faces economic challenges, with an unemployment rate of 15%, highlighting the need for continued job creation efforts. Foreign investment remains strong, reinforcing Brussels' role as an international business hub. Earnings in the city are competitive, with a 16% deviation above the national average, and inclusivity is a priority, with 17% of employed individuals being people with disabilities.