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

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MILAN (rank 80) - Italy

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

Milan compared with the overall Index average

Total score6183
Rank81

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

Theme: Citizens

Indicator
Milan
Avg
Urban Innovation Ecosystem Potential
34,68
86.02
School Density
1,19
0.71
Higher Education Accessibility
yes
—
Presence of a Globally Ranked Higher Education Institution
65
276.16
Cost of Higher Education Compared to Average Annual Salary
4%
0.07%
Residents with a Master's Degree (%)
13,1%
12.40%
Population Able to Communicate in a Foreign Language (%)
34,0
34.14%
Use of Electronic Banking Services (%)
57,37
79.27%
Population Aged 65+ Benefiting from Municipal Home Care (%)
10,9%
10.51%
Homeless People per 10,000 Residents
8,42
5.27

Theme: Governance

Indicator
Milan
Avg
Availability of City Website
4
2.11
Net Internal Migration Rate per 1,000 Population
-4,50
3.58
Pupils per School Building
444,42
380.04
Employment in Creative Industries (%)
3,5
4.62%
Housing Affordability Ratio
6,46
5.12
Housing Affordability Ratio (Rent)
46%
32.32%
Cultural Institutions per 100,000 Residents
10,3
8.15
Libraries per 10 km²
1,38
1.16
Voter Turnout in the Last Local Elections (%)
47,9
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
4
4.5
AI Awareness in City Strategies
no
—

Theme: Environment

Indicator
Milan
Avg
Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration
23,30
11.86
Green Mobility Share (%)
53,0%
45.25%
Waste Generated per Resident
0,49
0.51
Population Served by Sewage Treatment Facilities (%)
100
95.46%
Recycling Rate (%)
62
44.29%
Landfill Waste Burden
0,186
0.28
Biodiversity Protection Strategy
yes
—

Theme: Economy

Indicator
Milan
Avg
GDP per Capita
30 373 GBP
36,208 GBP
GDP Growth (%)
0,50%
0.02%
Patents per 100,000 Inhabitants
30,89
178.84
Businesses per 1,000 Residents
230,77
138.18
City Fiscal Power Index
16,26%
25.56%
Annual Average Unemployment Rate
5
5.58%
Annual Average Youth Unemployment Rate
17
12.44%
Youth Unemployment Ratio
3,4
2.46
Percentage Deviation in Earnings Relative to the National Average
62%
43.01%
Paid Parental Leave Weeks at 50% or More of Salary
22
24.21

Theme: Health

Indicator
Milan
Avg
Psychiatrists per 100,000 Inhabitants
9,00
16.38
Mental Health or Well-Being Strategy
yes
—
Strategy to Prevent and Address Hate Speech or Cyberbullying
yes
—
Licensed Medical Doctors Practising in the City (FTE)
4,40
5.18
Population Covered by Medical Insurance (%)
100
97.69%
Intentional Homicides per 100,000 Residents
14,65
20.62
Adults Classified as Overweight or Obese (%)
45,3
52.29%
Parks per km²
0,41
1.09
Green Space per Capita
18,82
72.57
Average Weekly Working Hours
40
40.52
Average Number of Paid Vacation Days
24
21.51
Life Expectancy at Birth
83,6
81.26

Theme: Mobility

Indicator
Milan
Avg
Accessibility of Electronic Payment Systems in Transport
3
2.51
Distance to the Nearest International Airport
50
21.44
Access Modes to the Nearest Airport
4,00
3.17
Public Transport Ridership per Capita
565,10
193.80
Accessible Public Transport Fleet (%)
95
91.18%
Road Traffic Accidents per 1,000 Residents
5,67
8.13
Open Public Transport Data Availability
yes
—
Integrated Journey Planner Availability
yes
—

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