City Profile: Geneva
General Overview
Education & Innovation
Governance & Transparency
Health & Well-being
Mobility & Transport
Environment & Sustainability
Economy & Business
General Overview
- Country: Switzerland
- Population of the city: 203856
- Area of the city measured in square kilometres (km²): 16
- Budget of the city in 2024 (GBP): 1 161 695 000 GBP
- Percentage of population of the country living in the city: 2.30%
- GDP PER PERSON: 83165
- REAL GDB - GROWTH: 1.3
- Percentage of all employed individuals in public administration: 23.00%
Education & Innovation
- The highest ranking position of university in global educational indexes: 151-200
- The percentage of income that should be allocated to cover the cost of studies: 2.90%
- Percentage of the population who knew at least one foreign language: 64.40%
- Percentage of population with digital skills: 80.00%
- Patent granted per 10,000 residents: 4.66
Governance & Transparency
- 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
- Existence of up-to-date and officially adopted development strategy: yes
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): 83.8
- Obesity rate: 12.00%
- Average number of working hours: 41.7
- The number of suicide attempts per 1,000 residents: 3.7
Mobility & Transport
- Green Mobility Share (%): 70.00%
- 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: 0.21
- 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: 100
- Number of traffic-related fatalities per 10000 residents: 0.15
Environment & Sustainability
- Efficient use of electricity (per GDP): 0.08
- Average PM10 value in the city: 16
- Recycling rate: 52.00%
- Existence of any documents or municipal legal solutions promoting the use of renewable energy: yes
Economy & Business
- Number of businesses per 1,000 residents: 275.17
- Number of foreign affiliates per 10,000 residents: 11.2
- Percentage deviation in earnings relative to the national average: 32.00%
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.
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Rank:
GOLD
Points:
883
Geneva, Switzerland’s globally renowned hub of diplomacy and finance, is a city where history, innovation, and quality of life converge. With a population of 203,856 spread across a compact 16 square kilometers, Geneva represents 2.3% of the country’s population but stands as one of its most economically powerful cities. The city boasts a staggering GDP per capita of £83,165, reflecting its economic strength, and maintains a steady real GDP growth rate of 1.3%. With a 2024 budget of £1.16 billion GBP, Geneva prioritizes governance, infrastructure, and sustainability, with 23% of its workforce employed in public administration, ensuring the smooth operation of its world-class services.
Education and innovation are integral to Geneva’s identity. The city is home to a globally ranked university in the 151-200 range, and higher education remains accessible, with only 2.9% of income allocated to study costs. Multilingualism is a key feature of Geneva’s diverse community, with 64.4% of the population speaking at least one foreign language. Digital skills are widespread, with 80% of residents proficient in technology, and the city fosters innovation, granting 4.66 patents per 10,000 residents, reinforcing its role as a center for research and development.
Governance in Geneva is built on transparency and strategic planning. The city maintains an open data platform, ensuring access to vital public information, and operates under a well-defined and officially adopted development strategy. These measures contribute to Geneva’s reputation as a city that values accountability and citizen engagement.
Health and well-being are key priorities in Geneva, where universal healthcare ensures 100% of residents have medical insurance. With 4.5 doctors per 1,000 inhabitants, the city provides high-quality medical services, contributing to a life expectancy of 83.8 years. The obesity rate is one of the lowest in Europe at 12%, reflecting Geneva’s health-conscious population. However, the city faces challenges with mental health, recording 3.7 suicide attempts per 1,000 residents. With an average workweek of 41.7 hours, Geneva maintains a balance between professional productivity and high living standards.
Geneva’s transport system is a model of sustainability and efficiency, with 70% of mobility classified as green. The city’s intelligent traffic management system optimizes urban flow, and the public transport network extends 0.21 kilometers per 100 residents, offering seamless connectivity. Accessibility is a priority, with 100% of public transport vehicles adapted for individuals with mobility disabilities. Digitalization is well-integrated, allowing for electronic payments via mobile applications, special transport cards, and debit or credit cards. Geneva’s international airport, located within city limits, ensures direct global access, making it a key transit hub in Europe. Traffic safety is well-maintained, with a low fatality rate of 0.15 per 10,000 residents.
Environmental sustainability is a cornerstone of Geneva’s urban planning. The city efficiently manages electricity consumption at 0.08 per GDP, and air quality is upheld with an average PM10 level of 16. Recycling initiatives are robust, with a 52% recycling rate, and the city actively promotes renewable energy through dedicated municipal policies. Geneva’s environmental efforts reinforce its commitment to maintaining a clean and livable urban environment.
Geneva’s economy is one of the most competitive in the world, with 275.17 businesses per 1,000 residents, reflecting a dynamic and thriving business ecosystem. The city is a magnet for international investment. Salaries are highly competitive, with earnings deviating 32% above the national average, making Geneva an attractive location for top-tier professionals and multinational corporations.
Education and innovation are integral to Geneva’s identity. The city is home to a globally ranked university in the 151-200 range, and higher education remains accessible, with only 2.9% of income allocated to study costs. Multilingualism is a key feature of Geneva’s diverse community, with 64.4% of the population speaking at least one foreign language. Digital skills are widespread, with 80% of residents proficient in technology, and the city fosters innovation, granting 4.66 patents per 10,000 residents, reinforcing its role as a center for research and development.
Governance in Geneva is built on transparency and strategic planning. The city maintains an open data platform, ensuring access to vital public information, and operates under a well-defined and officially adopted development strategy. These measures contribute to Geneva’s reputation as a city that values accountability and citizen engagement.
Health and well-being are key priorities in Geneva, where universal healthcare ensures 100% of residents have medical insurance. With 4.5 doctors per 1,000 inhabitants, the city provides high-quality medical services, contributing to a life expectancy of 83.8 years. The obesity rate is one of the lowest in Europe at 12%, reflecting Geneva’s health-conscious population. However, the city faces challenges with mental health, recording 3.7 suicide attempts per 1,000 residents. With an average workweek of 41.7 hours, Geneva maintains a balance between professional productivity and high living standards.
Geneva’s transport system is a model of sustainability and efficiency, with 70% of mobility classified as green. The city’s intelligent traffic management system optimizes urban flow, and the public transport network extends 0.21 kilometers per 100 residents, offering seamless connectivity. Accessibility is a priority, with 100% of public transport vehicles adapted for individuals with mobility disabilities. Digitalization is well-integrated, allowing for electronic payments via mobile applications, special transport cards, and debit or credit cards. Geneva’s international airport, located within city limits, ensures direct global access, making it a key transit hub in Europe. Traffic safety is well-maintained, with a low fatality rate of 0.15 per 10,000 residents.
Environmental sustainability is a cornerstone of Geneva’s urban planning. The city efficiently manages electricity consumption at 0.08 per GDP, and air quality is upheld with an average PM10 level of 16. Recycling initiatives are robust, with a 52% recycling rate, and the city actively promotes renewable energy through dedicated municipal policies. Geneva’s environmental efforts reinforce its commitment to maintaining a clean and livable urban environment.
Geneva’s economy is one of the most competitive in the world, with 275.17 businesses per 1,000 residents, reflecting a dynamic and thriving business ecosystem. The city is a magnet for international investment. Salaries are highly competitive, with earnings deviating 32% above the national average, making Geneva an attractive location for top-tier professionals and multinational corporations.