“A city is what it is because its citizens are what they are.” (PLATO)

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Gwangju (rank 119) - South Korea

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

Gwangju compared with the overall Index average

Total score5985
Rank119

The table below presents all 64 Happy City Index indicators for Gwangju against the overall average.

Theme: Citizens

Indicator
Gwangju
Avg
Urban Innovation Ecosystem Potential
7,53
86.02
School Density
0,31
0.71
Higher Education Accessibility
yes
Presence of a Globally Ranked Higher Education Institution
385
276.16
Cost of Higher Education Compared to Average Annual Salary
11%
0.07%
Residents with a Master's Degree (%)
11,2%
12.40%
Population Able to Communicate in a Foreign Language (%)
20,0
34.14%
Use of Electronic Banking Services (%)
87
79.27%
Population Aged 65+ Benefiting from Municipal Home Care (%)
11,0%
10.51%
Homeless People per 10,000 Residents
0,21
5.27

Theme: Governance

Indicator
Gwangju
Avg
Availability of City Website
0
2.11
Net Internal Migration Rate per 1,000 Population
-8,40
3.58
Pupils per School Building
685,17
380.04
Employment in Creative Industries (%)
5,1
4.62%
Housing Affordability Ratio
3,38
5.12
Housing Affordability Ratio (Rent)
12%
32.32%
Cultural Institutions per 100,000 Residents
4,6
8.15
Libraries per 10 km²
0,46
1.16
Voter Turnout in the Last Local Elections (%)
50,9
49.79%
Open Data Portal Availability
yes
Datasets Available in Machine-Readable Formats
yes
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
Gwangju
Avg
Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration
18,00
11.86
Green Mobility Share (%)
42,0%
45.25%
Waste Generated per Resident
0,42
0.51
Population Served by Sewage Treatment Facilities (%)
95,6
95.46%
Recycling Rate (%)
52
44.29%
Landfill Waste Burden
0,202
0.28
Biodiversity Protection Strategy
yes

Theme: Economy

Indicator
Gwangju
Avg
GDP per Capita
27 277 GBP
36,208 GBP
GDP Growth (%)
2,00%
0.02%
Patents per 100,000 Inhabitants
475,33
178.84
Businesses per 1,000 Residents
100,86
138.18
City Fiscal Power Index
19,77%
25.56%
Annual Average Unemployment Rate
2,6
5.58%
Annual Average Youth Unemployment Rate
6,8
12.44%
Youth Unemployment Ratio
2,6
2.46
Percentage Deviation in Earnings Relative to the National Average
29%
43.01%
Paid Parental Leave Weeks at 50% or More of Salary
13
24.21

Theme: Health

Indicator
Gwangju
Avg
Psychiatrists per 100,000 Inhabitants
8,10
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)
2,45
5.18
Population Covered by Medical Insurance (%)
100
97.69%
Intentional Homicides per 100,000 Residents
5,86
20.62
Adults Classified as Overweight or Obese (%)
34,3
52.29%
Parks per km²
0,55
1.09
Green Space per Capita
16,98
72.57
Average Weekly Working Hours
40
40.52
Average Number of Paid Vacation Days
15
21.51
Life Expectancy at Birth
83,8
81.26

Theme: Mobility

Indicator
Gwangju
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
3,00
3.17
Public Transport Ridership per Capita
114,80
193.80
Accessible Public Transport Fleet (%)
95
91.18%
Road Traffic Accidents per 1,000 Residents
3,87
8.13
Open Public Transport Data Availability
yes
Integrated Journey Planner Availability
yes

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