City Profile: London
General Overview
Education & Innovation
Governance & Transparency
Health & Well-being
Mobility & Transport
Environment & Sustainability
Economy & Business
General Overview
- Country: United Kingdom
- Population of the city: 9748030
- Area of the city measured in square kilometres (km²): 1572
- Budget of the city in 2024 (GBP): 21 100 000 000 GBP
- Percentage of population of the country living in the city: 14.10%
- GDP PER PERSON: 41193
- REAL GDB - GROWTH: 0.4
- Percentage of all employed individuals in public administration: 17.30%
Education & Innovation
- The highest ranking position of university in global educational indexes: 2
- Percentage of citizens taking part in formal education - lifelong learning: 10.00%
- The percentage of income that should be allocated to cover the cost of studies: 25.50%
- Percentage of population of the city with a master's degree: 35.00%
- Percentage of the population who knew at least one foreign language: 36.00%
- Percentage of population with digital skills: 86.00%
- Patent granted per 10,000 residents: 1.56
Governance & Transparency
- Voter turnout in the last local elections (%): 33.60%
- 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: 1400
- E-services: fault reporting, 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: 4
Health & Well-being
- Percentage of population with medical insurance: 100.00%
- Number of doctors per 1,000 residents: 3.2
- Life Expectancy Rate (at birth): 82.8
- Obesity rate: 26.00%
- Average number of working hours: 36.5
- Percentage of the adult population receiving support and coordinated mental health care: 2.70%
- The number of suicide attempts per 1,000 residents: 0.1
Mobility & Transport
- Green Mobility Share (%): 55.80%
- 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: 0.13
Environment & Sustainability
- Efficient use of electricity (per GDP): 0.11
- Average PM10 value in the city: 17
- Existence of biodiversity protection strategy in the city: yes
- Number of parks per square kilometre: 1.91
- Existence of any documents or municipal legal solutions promoting the use of renewable energy: yes
Economy & Business
- Number of businesses per 1,000 residents: 100.84
- Number of new businesses per 1,000 residents: 16.52
- Unemployment rate: 5.00%
- Number of foreign affiliates per 10,000 residents: 5.3
- Percentage deviation in earnings relative to the national average: 27.00%
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.
We appreciate your understanding and your willingness to contribute to one of the world’s most comprehensive studies on sustainable urban development.
Rank:
GOLD
Points:
842
London, the vibrant capital of the United Kingdom, stands as a city where history meets innovation. Home to nearly 9.75 million residents, it spans 1,572 square kilometres and plays a pivotal role in the nation’s economy, boasting a budget of over 21 billion GBP in 2024. Contributing significantly to the country's GDP, London is a powerhouse of business, culture, and governance, housing 14.1% of the UK's population.
Education and innovation are at the heart of London's success. As a global intellectual hub, the city is home to some of the world’s most prestigious universities, with its highest-ranking institution placed second globally. A highly skilled workforce supports the city's dynamic economy, with 35% of the population holding a master’s degree and 36% fluent in at least one foreign language. Digital proficiency is high, with 86% of residents possessing digital skills, contributing to the city's technological advancements. London is also a centre of innovation, with 1.56 patents granted per 10,000 residents, driving forward new ideas and industries.
Governance and transparency remain key priorities for London’s administration. With an open data platform offering access to 1,400 datasets, the city ensures accessibility and accountability in decision-making. Though voter turnout in the last local elections stood at 33.6%, London continues to lead in digital governance, offering seamless e-services such as fault reporting, electronic payments, and online appointment scheduling. The city’s future growth is guided by an officially adopted development strategy, supported by four sectoral policies that shape its sustainability and progress.
Health and well-being are fundamental to life in London. With 100% of residents covered by medical insurance, healthcare access is universal. The city has 3.2 doctors per 1,000 residents and an impressive life expectancy of 82.8 years. However, challenges persist, including an obesity rate of 26%. Mental health remains an area of focus, with 2.7% of the adult population receiving coordinated care. Despite its size and density, London maintains a low suicide attempt rate of 0.1 per 1,000 residents, reflecting the effectiveness of its support systems.
A leader in mobility and transport, London offers an extensive and efficient transport network. With a green mobility share of 55.8%, the city is committed to sustainable travel. Payment systems are fully integrated, allowing passengers to use mobile applications, special transport cards, and debit or credit cards for easy access to public transport. The presence of an Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITS) enhances efficiency, while all public transport vehicles are fully adapted for those with mobility disabilities. The city's dedication to road safety is evident, with traffic-related fatalities standing at just 0.13 per 10,000 residents.
London's commitment to sustainability is evident in its policies and environmental strategies. The city ensures efficient electricity use, with an energy consumption rate of 0.11 per GDP. Air quality remains a priority, with an average PM10 level of 17, while biodiversity protection strategies help maintain London’s green spaces. The city boasts an impressive 1.91 parks per square kilometre and actively promotes renewable energy through municipal policies, ensuring a cleaner and greener future for its inhabitants.
As a global financial hub, London thrives on a diverse and dynamic economy. The city hosts around 100.84 businesses per 1,000 residents, with 16.52 new businesses established each year. The unemployment rate stands at 5%, while average earnings are 27% higher than the national average.
Education and innovation are at the heart of London's success. As a global intellectual hub, the city is home to some of the world’s most prestigious universities, with its highest-ranking institution placed second globally. A highly skilled workforce supports the city's dynamic economy, with 35% of the population holding a master’s degree and 36% fluent in at least one foreign language. Digital proficiency is high, with 86% of residents possessing digital skills, contributing to the city's technological advancements. London is also a centre of innovation, with 1.56 patents granted per 10,000 residents, driving forward new ideas and industries.
Governance and transparency remain key priorities for London’s administration. With an open data platform offering access to 1,400 datasets, the city ensures accessibility and accountability in decision-making. Though voter turnout in the last local elections stood at 33.6%, London continues to lead in digital governance, offering seamless e-services such as fault reporting, electronic payments, and online appointment scheduling. The city’s future growth is guided by an officially adopted development strategy, supported by four sectoral policies that shape its sustainability and progress.
Health and well-being are fundamental to life in London. With 100% of residents covered by medical insurance, healthcare access is universal. The city has 3.2 doctors per 1,000 residents and an impressive life expectancy of 82.8 years. However, challenges persist, including an obesity rate of 26%. Mental health remains an area of focus, with 2.7% of the adult population receiving coordinated care. Despite its size and density, London maintains a low suicide attempt rate of 0.1 per 1,000 residents, reflecting the effectiveness of its support systems.
A leader in mobility and transport, London offers an extensive and efficient transport network. With a green mobility share of 55.8%, the city is committed to sustainable travel. Payment systems are fully integrated, allowing passengers to use mobile applications, special transport cards, and debit or credit cards for easy access to public transport. The presence of an Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITS) enhances efficiency, while all public transport vehicles are fully adapted for those with mobility disabilities. The city's dedication to road safety is evident, with traffic-related fatalities standing at just 0.13 per 10,000 residents.
London's commitment to sustainability is evident in its policies and environmental strategies. The city ensures efficient electricity use, with an energy consumption rate of 0.11 per GDP. Air quality remains a priority, with an average PM10 level of 17, while biodiversity protection strategies help maintain London’s green spaces. The city boasts an impressive 1.91 parks per square kilometre and actively promotes renewable energy through municipal policies, ensuring a cleaner and greener future for its inhabitants.
As a global financial hub, London thrives on a diverse and dynamic economy. The city hosts around 100.84 businesses per 1,000 residents, with 16.52 new businesses established each year. The unemployment rate stands at 5%, while average earnings are 27% higher than the national average.