Results by theme
Share of indicators in each theme where Ghent scores above the average or has the policy in place.
GHENT (rank 42) - Belgium
About the data
Methodology
How to read these results
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.
- Scores compare each city with the average across all cities in the Index.
- For important decisions, verify relevant data with official sources.
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Source: Institute for Quality of Life, Happy City Index 2026.
Happy City Index 2026 · City profile
Ghent against the Index average
Results for all 64 indicators, grouped into six themes: citizens, governance, environment, economy, health and mobility.
Total score6408
CategoryGold
Above the average26/51
Policies in place13/13
All 64 indicators at a glance
One square per indicator, ordered by theme. Hover for details.
26 above average13 policies in place22 below average3 neutral
6of 10
Citizens
10of 17
Governance
6of 7
Environment
5of 10
Economy
8of 12
Health
4of 8
Mobility
01Selected results
EnvironmentRecycling rate
77%
Index average: 44%
EnvironmentLandfill waste burden
0.10
Index average: 0.28
EnvironmentAnnual average PM2.5 concentration
7.0
Index average: 11.9
EnvironmentGreen mobility share
61%
Index average: 45%
GovernanceTurnout in the last local elections
64.9%
Index average: 49.8%
GovernanceHousing affordability ratio (price to income)
3.6
Index average: 5.1
CitizensResidents 65+ receiving municipal home care
15.7%
Index average: 10.5%
HealthLife expectancy at birth
82.9
Index average: 81.3
MobilityRoad traffic accidents per 1,000 residents
4.75
Index average: 8.1
GhentIndex average
02Largest differences from the average
Ahead of the average
- GDP Growth (%)55× avg1.10% vs 0.02%
- Patents per 100,000 Inhabitants5.2× avg934.76 vs 178.84
- Recycling Rate (%)+74%77% vs 44.29%
- Presence of a Globally Ranked Higher Education Institution67% lower91 vs 276.16
- Landfill Waste Burden65% lower0.099 vs 0.28
- Percentage Deviation in Earnings Relative to the National Average+60%69% vs 43.01%
- Population Aged 65+ Benefiting from Municipal Home Care (%)+49%15.7% vs 10.51%
- Population Able to Communicate in a Foreign Language (%)+44%49.0% vs 34.14%
Behind the average
- Cost of Higher Education Compared to Average Annual Salary29× avg2% vs 0.07%
- Distance to the Nearest International Airport3.0× avg65 vs 21.44
- Homeless People per 10,000 Residents2.6× avg13.84 vs 5.27
- Net Internal Migration Rate per 1,000 Populationnegative-1.50 vs 3.58
- Urban Innovation Ecosystem Potential−86%11.66 vs 86.02
- Green Space per Capita−71%21.22 vs 72.57
- Annual Average Unemployment Rate42% higher7.9% vs 5.58%
- Paid Parental Leave Weeks at 50% or More of Salary−38%15 vs 24.21
- City Fiscal Power Index−35%16.73% vs 25.56%
03All indicators
GhentOverall averageAbove averageBelow average
Citizens
6 above avg.3 below avg.10 indicators
Urban Innovation Ecosystem Potential
Below average
School Density
Above average
Higher Education Accessibility
In place
Presence of a Globally Ranked Higher Education Institution
Above average
Cost of Higher Education Compared to Average Annual Salary
Below average
Residents with a Master's Degree (%)
Above average
Population Able to Communicate in a Foreign Language (%)
Above average
Use of Electronic Banking Services (%)
Above average
Population Aged 65+ Benefiting from Municipal Home Care (%)
Above average
Homeless People per 10,000 Residents
Below average
Governance
10 above avg.5 below avg.17 indicators
Availability of City Website
Below average
Net Internal Migration Rate per 1,000 Population
Below average
Pupils per School Building
Below average
Employment in Creative Industries (%)
Below average
Housing Affordability Ratio
Above average
Housing Affordability Ratio (Rent)
Below average
Cultural Institutions per 100,000 Residents
Below average
Libraries per 10 km²
Below average
Voter Turnout in the Last Local Elections (%)
Above average
Open Data Portal Availability
In place
Datasets Available in Machine-Readable Formats
In place
Fault Reporting System via Website or Mobile App
In place
Electronic Payments for Municipal Services
In place
Online Appointment Booking with City Hall
In place
Up-to-Date Official Development Strategy
In place
Key Elements Included in the Strategy
Above average
AI Awareness in City Strategies
In place
Environment
6 above avg.1 below avg.7 indicators
Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration
Above average
Green Mobility Share (%)
Above average
Waste Generated per Resident
Above average
Population Served by Sewage Treatment Facilities (%)
Below average
Recycling Rate (%)
Above average
Landfill Waste Burden
Above average
Biodiversity Protection Strategy
In place
Economy
5 above avg.5 below avg.10 indicators
GDP per Capita
Above average
GDP Growth (%)
Above average
Patents per 100,000 Inhabitants
Above average
Businesses per 1,000 Residents
Below average
City Fiscal Power Index
Below average
Annual Average Unemployment Rate
Below average
Annual Average Youth Unemployment Rate
Below average
Youth Unemployment Ratio
Above average
Percentage Deviation in Earnings Relative to the National Average
Above average
Paid Parental Leave Weeks at 50% or More of Salary
Below average
Health
8 above avg.4 below avg.12 indicators
Psychiatrists per 100,000 Inhabitants
Above average
Mental Health or Well-Being Strategy
In place
Strategy to Prevent and Address Hate Speech or Cyberbullying
In place
Licensed Medical Doctors Practising in the City (FTE)
Below average
Population Covered by Medical Insurance (%)
Above average
Intentional Homicides per 100,000 Residents
Above average
Adults Classified as Overweight or Obese (%)
Above average
Parks per km²
Below average
Green Space per Capita
Below average
Average Weekly Working Hours
Above average
Average Number of Paid Vacation Days
Below average
Life Expectancy at Birth
Above average
Mobility
4 above avg.4 below avg.8 indicators
Accessibility of Electronic Payment Systems in Transport
Below average
Distance to the Nearest International Airport
Below average
Access Modes to the Nearest Airport
Below average
Public Transport Ridership per Capita
Above average
Accessible Public Transport Fleet (%)
Below average
Road Traffic Accidents per 1,000 Residents
Above average
Open Public Transport Data Availability
In place
Integrated Journey Planner Availability
In place
Note: bars are scaled separately for each indicator. For indicators where a lower value is preferable, such as unemployment or PM2.5, a lower result is counted as above average. Differences in section 02 are relative to the Index average; bars are capped at 150%.
Source: Institute for Quality of Life, Happy City Index 2026.
