City Profile: Munich
General Overview
Education & Innovation
Governance & Transparency
Health & Well-being
Mobility & Transport
Environment & Sustainability
Economy & Business
General Overview
- Country: Germany
- Population of the city: 1590000
- Area of the city measured in square kilometres (km²): 308
- Budget of the city in 2024 (GBP): 7 913 500 000 GBP
- Percentage of population of the country living in the city: 1.90%
- GDP PER PERSON: 36664
- REAL GDB - GROWTH: 0.2
- Percentage of all employed individuals in public administration: 11.10%
Education & Innovation
- The highest ranking position of university in global educational indexes: first 50
- Percentage of citizens taking part in formal education - lifelong learning: 7.00%
- The percentage of income that should be allocated to cover the cost of studies: 0.00%
- Percentage of the population who knew at least one foreign language: 67.00%
- Percentage of population with digital skills: 67.00%
- Patent granted per 10,000 residents: 2.64
Governance & Transparency
- Voter turnout in the most recent supranational elections (%): 67.30%
- Voter turnout in the last local elections (%): 49.10%
- Number of residents (per 1000) involved in local governance structures: 0.05
- 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: 300
- E-services: fault reporting system, 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: 10
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): 83.11
- Obesity rate: 25.00%
- Average number of working hours: 34.4
- Percentage of the adult population receiving support and coordinated mental health care: 27.80%
- The number of suicide attempts per 1,000 residents: 0.12
Mobility & Transport
- Green Mobility Share (%): 77.00%
- 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: 0.07
- Distance to the nearest airport offering international flights: 2
- Percentage of public transport vehicles (e.g., buses, metro, trams) fully adapted for people with mobility disabilities: 85
- City provide data on public transportation (e.g., departure times, real-time location of public transport vehicles) through an open data portal managed by the city or a government entity: yes
- City provide on its website, mobile app, or through collaboration with other entities the ability to plan a journey using public transportation, known as a journey planner: yes
Environment & Sustainability
- Efficient use of electricity (per GDP): 0.16
- Average PM10 value in the city: 38
- Existence of biodiversity protection strategy in the city: yes
- Amount of waste produced per resident (tons): 0.63
- Percentage of the population that is served by sewage treatment facilities: 100.00%
- Existence of any documents or municipal legal solutions promoting the use of renewable energy: yes
- Existance of information about CO2 emissions: yes
Economy & Business
- Number of businesses per 1,000 residents: 81.76
- Number of new businesses per 1,000 residents: 9.43
- Unemployment rate: 4.00%
- Number of foreign affiliates per 10,000 residents: 1.8
- Percentage deviation in earnings relative to the national average: 41.00%
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.
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Rank:
GOLD
Points:
931
Munich, the economic powerhouse of southern Germany, is a city that effortlessly combines rich cultural heritage with cutting-edge innovation. With a population of 1.59 million spread across 308 square kilometres, the city plays a vital role in shaping Germany’s economic and technological landscape. Munich’s budget for 2024 stands at 7.91 billion GBP, reflecting its status as one of the country’s most financially robust and forward-thinking urban centres. Representing 1.9% of Germany’s total population, the city has a high GDP per capita of 36,664 GBP and continues to grow, albeit at a modest rate of 0.2%.
Education and innovation are at the heart of Munich’s identity. Home to globally recognised universities ranked within the top 50, the city fosters a highly educated population, with 67% proficient in at least one foreign language and the same percentage possessing strong digital skills. Higher education remains accessible, with no direct income allocation required to cover study costs. Munich’s dedication to research and development is evident, as it boasts 2.64 patents granted per 10,000 residents, placing it at the forefront of European innovation.
Governance and transparency are deeply embedded in Munich’s administrative framework. The city enjoys strong civic engagement, with voter turnout reaching 67.3% in supranational elections and 49.1% in local elections. Although only 0.05 per 1,000 residents actively participate in local governance structures, Munich maintains an extensive open data portal, with 300 datasets available for public access. The city provides an array of e-services, including fault reporting, electronic payments, and online appointment scheduling, ensuring seamless interaction between residents and public administration. With 10 sectoral strategies in place, Munich’s development policies are well-structured and forward-looking.
Health and well-being are fundamental to life in Munich. With universal medical insurance coverage and an impressive ratio of 4.5 doctors per 1,000 residents, the city ensures comprehensive healthcare services. Life expectancy is high at 83.11 years, though the city faces an obesity rate of 25%. Mental health support is prioritised, with 27.8% of adults receiving coordinated care. Despite being a thriving metropolis, Munich maintains a low suicide attempt rate of 0.12 per 1,000 residents, reflecting a strong emphasis on psychological well-being and community support.
Mobility and transport in Munich set a benchmark for efficiency and sustainability. The city boasts an impressive green mobility share of 77%, underlining its commitment to environmentally friendly transportation. An advanced intelligent traffic management system enhances urban mobility, and residents benefit from fully integrated digital payment options across public transport. While 85% of public transport vehicles are adapted for individuals with mobility disabilities, efforts continue to improve accessibility. Munich’s open data platform supports real-time public transport updates and journey planning tools, making commuting both convenient and efficient.
Munich’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in its environmental policies. The city has implemented a biodiversity protection strategy and actively promotes renewable energy solutions. With 100% of its population served by sewage treatment facilities, Munich upholds high environmental standards. However, challenges remain, such as an air pollution level of PM10 at 38 and an annual waste production of 0.63 tons per resident. Transparency in environmental impact is a priority, with publicly available data on CO2 emissions helping to shape future sustainability efforts.
Economically, Munich thrives as a business hub with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. The city hosts 81.76 businesses per 1,000 residents, with 9.43 new businesses established annually per 1,000 residents. Its unemployment rate remains low at 4%, while earnings exceed the national average by 41%, making Munich an attractive destination for professionals
Education and innovation are at the heart of Munich’s identity. Home to globally recognised universities ranked within the top 50, the city fosters a highly educated population, with 67% proficient in at least one foreign language and the same percentage possessing strong digital skills. Higher education remains accessible, with no direct income allocation required to cover study costs. Munich’s dedication to research and development is evident, as it boasts 2.64 patents granted per 10,000 residents, placing it at the forefront of European innovation.
Governance and transparency are deeply embedded in Munich’s administrative framework. The city enjoys strong civic engagement, with voter turnout reaching 67.3% in supranational elections and 49.1% in local elections. Although only 0.05 per 1,000 residents actively participate in local governance structures, Munich maintains an extensive open data portal, with 300 datasets available for public access. The city provides an array of e-services, including fault reporting, electronic payments, and online appointment scheduling, ensuring seamless interaction between residents and public administration. With 10 sectoral strategies in place, Munich’s development policies are well-structured and forward-looking.
Health and well-being are fundamental to life in Munich. With universal medical insurance coverage and an impressive ratio of 4.5 doctors per 1,000 residents, the city ensures comprehensive healthcare services. Life expectancy is high at 83.11 years, though the city faces an obesity rate of 25%. Mental health support is prioritised, with 27.8% of adults receiving coordinated care. Despite being a thriving metropolis, Munich maintains a low suicide attempt rate of 0.12 per 1,000 residents, reflecting a strong emphasis on psychological well-being and community support.
Mobility and transport in Munich set a benchmark for efficiency and sustainability. The city boasts an impressive green mobility share of 77%, underlining its commitment to environmentally friendly transportation. An advanced intelligent traffic management system enhances urban mobility, and residents benefit from fully integrated digital payment options across public transport. While 85% of public transport vehicles are adapted for individuals with mobility disabilities, efforts continue to improve accessibility. Munich’s open data platform supports real-time public transport updates and journey planning tools, making commuting both convenient and efficient.
Munich’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in its environmental policies. The city has implemented a biodiversity protection strategy and actively promotes renewable energy solutions. With 100% of its population served by sewage treatment facilities, Munich upholds high environmental standards. However, challenges remain, such as an air pollution level of PM10 at 38 and an annual waste production of 0.63 tons per resident. Transparency in environmental impact is a priority, with publicly available data on CO2 emissions helping to shape future sustainability efforts.
Economically, Munich thrives as a business hub with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. The city hosts 81.76 businesses per 1,000 residents, with 9.43 new businesses established annually per 1,000 residents. Its unemployment rate remains low at 4%, while earnings exceed the national average by 41%, making Munich an attractive destination for professionals