“A city is what it is because its citizens are what they are.” (PLATO)
EDINBURGH (rank 47) - United Kingdom
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
Edinburgh compared with the overall Index average
Total score6379
CategoryGOLD
The table below presents all 64 Happy City Index indicators for Edinburgh against the overall average.
Theme: Citizens
Indicator
Edinburgh
Avg
Urban Innovation Ecosystem Potential
92.32
86.02
School Density
0.46
0.71
Higher Education Accessibility
yes
—
Presence of a Globally Ranked Higher Education Institution
32
276.16
Cost of Higher Education Compared to Average Annual Salary
25%
0.07%
Residents with a Master's Degree (%)
13.8%
12.40%
Population Able to Communicate in a Foreign Language (%)
8.9
34.14%
Use of Electronic Banking Services (%)
89
79.27%
Population Aged 65+ Benefiting from Municipal Home Care (%)
4.0%
10.51%
Homeless People per 10,000 Residents
1.87
5.27
Theme: Governance
Indicator
Edinburgh
Avg
Availability of City Website
4
2.11
Net Internal Migration Rate per 1,000 Population
13.30
3.58
Pupils per School Building
246.03
380.04
Employment in Creative Industries (%)
7.1
4.62%
Housing Affordability Ratio
5.89
5.12
Housing Affordability Ratio (Rent)
45%
32.32%
Cultural Institutions per 100,000 Residents
11.0
8.15
Libraries per 10 km²
4.52
1.16
Voter Turnout in the Last Local Elections (%)
47.2
49.79%
Open Data Portal Availability
yes
—
Datasets Available in Machine-Readable Formats
no
—
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
5
4.5
AI Awareness in City Strategies
yes
—
Theme: Environment
Indicator
Edinburgh
Avg
Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration
6.60
11.86
Green Mobility Share (%)
47.0%
45.25%
Waste Generated per Resident
0.41
0.51
Population Served by Sewage Treatment Facilities (%)
97
95.46%
Recycling Rate (%)
40
44.29%
Landfill Waste Burden
0.246
0.28
Biodiversity Protection Strategy
yes
—
Theme: Economy
Indicator
Edinburgh
Avg
GDP per Capita
40,046 GBP
36,208 GBP
GDP Growth (%)
1.30%
0.02%
Patents per 100,000 Inhabitants
11.88
178.84
Businesses per 1,000 Residents
74.47
138.18
City Fiscal Power Index
16.28%
25.56%
Annual Average Unemployment Rate
3.5
5.58%
Annual Average Youth Unemployment Rate
10.5
12.44%
Youth Unemployment Ratio
3.0
2.46
Percentage Deviation in Earnings Relative to the National Average
3%
43.01%
Paid Parental Leave Weeks at 50% or More of Salary
6
24.21
Theme: Health
Indicator
Edinburgh
Avg
Psychiatrists per 100,000 Inhabitants
20.20
16.38
Mental Health or Well-Being Strategy
yes
—
Strategy to Prevent and Address Hate Speech or Cyberbullying
no
—
Licensed Medical Doctors Practising in the City (FTE)
4.71
5.18
Population Covered by Medical Insurance (%)
100
97.69%
Intentional Homicides per 100,000 Residents
5.65
20.62
Adults Classified as Overweight or Obese (%)
58
52.29%
Parks per km²
0.55
1.09
Green Space per Capita
218.59
72.57
Average Weekly Working Hours
36.7
40.52
Average Number of Paid Vacation Days
28
21.51
Life Expectancy at Birth
82.49
81.26
Theme: Mobility
Indicator
Edinburgh
Avg
Accessibility of Electronic Payment Systems in Transport
3
2.51
Distance to the Nearest International Airport
0
21.44
Access Modes to the Nearest Airport
4.00
3.17
Public Transport Ridership per Capita
248.00
193.80
Accessible Public Transport Fleet (%)
95
91.18%
Road Traffic Accidents per 1,000 Residents
1.83
8.13
Open Public Transport Data Availability
yes
—
Integrated Journey Planner Availability
yes
—
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