City Profile: Oslo
General Overview
Education & Innovation
Governance & Transparency
Health & Well-being
Mobility & Transport
Environment & Sustainability
Economy & Business
General Overview
- Country: Norway
- Population of the city: 1100870
- Area of the city measured in square kilometres (km²): 426.3
- Budget of the city in 2024 (GBP): 6 697 500 000 GBP
- Percentage of population of the country living in the city: 19.70%
- GDP PER PERSON: 62618
- REAL GDB - GROWTH: 2.1
- Percentage of all employed individuals in public administration: 30.00%
Education & Innovation
- The highest ranking position of university in global educational indexes: 101-150
- The percentage of income that should be allocated to cover the cost of studies: 0.00%
- Percentage of population of the city with a master's degree: 11.00%
- Percentage of the population who knew at least one foreign language: 90.00%
- Percentage of population with digital skills: 96.00%
- Patent granted per 10,000 residents: 0.53
Governance & Transparency
- Voter turnout in the last local elections (%): 69.30%
- 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: 100
- E-services: fault reporting, electronic payments, on-line appointment scheduling: yes
- Existence of up-to-date and officially adopted development strategy: yes
Health & Well-being
- Percentage of population with medical insurance: 100.00%
- Number of doctors per 1,000 residents: 5.2
- Life Expectancy Rate (at birth): 83.4
- Obesity rate: 26.00%
- Average number of working hours: 40
- Percentage of the adult population receiving support and coordinated mental health care: 22.00%
- The number of suicide attempts per 1,000 residents: 0.11
Mobility & Transport
- Green Mobility Share (%): 71.50%
- 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
- Distance to the nearest airport offering international flights: 0
Environment & Sustainability
- Efficient use of electricity (per GDP): 0.4
- Average PM10 value in the city: 24
- Recycling rate: 41.00%
- Existence of any documents or municipal legal solutions promoting the use of renewable energy: yes
Economy & Business
- Number of businesses per 1,000 residents: 105.45
- Number of foreign affiliates per 10,000 residents: 5.4
- Percentage deviation in earnings relative to the national average: 4.00%
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.
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Rank:
GOLD
Points:
870
Oslo, the capital of Norway, is a city where nature and innovation coexist in harmony. Home to just over 1.1 million residents and covering an expansive 426.3 square kilometres, Oslo is both a bustling urban centre and a gateway to Norway’s stunning natural landscapes. With a city budget of 6.7 billion GBP in 2024, Oslo plays a crucial role in the nation’s economy, accounting for 19.7% of Norway’s total population. The city enjoys a high GDP per capita of 62,618 GBP and continues to grow steadily, with a real GDP growth rate of 2.1%.
Education and innovation are fundamental to Oslo’s identity. While the city's highest-ranked university falls within the 101-150 range globally, its commitment to education is evident. With free higher education, residents do not need to allocate any portion of their income to cover study costs. An impressive 90% of Oslo’s population speaks at least one foreign language, and 96% possess digital skills, making the city one of the most technologically advanced in the world. Though Oslo registers 0.53 patents per 10,000 residents, its innovative spirit is reflected in other areas, particularly in digital transformation and governance.
Governance and transparency are cornerstones of Oslo’s administration. Voter turnout in the last local elections stood at an impressive 69.3%, demonstrating strong civic engagement. The city maintains an open data portal with 100 datasets available to the public, fostering transparency and data-driven policy decisions. Oslo’s digital governance is well-established, offering e-services such as fault reporting, electronic payments, and online appointment scheduling. An up-to-date and officially adopted development strategy ensures the city remains on a path of sustainable growth and modernization.
Health and well-being are prioritized in Oslo. With universal medical insurance and 5.2 doctors per 1,000 residents, the city provides comprehensive healthcare services. Life expectancy is high at 83.4 years, though challenges such as a 26% obesity rate remain. Mental health support is robust, with 22% of the adult population receiving coordinated care. Oslo maintains a low suicide attempt rate of 0.11 per 1,000 residents, reflecting the city's investment in mental health and overall well-being.
Oslo’s mobility and transport network is designed with sustainability in mind. The city boasts a green mobility share of 71.5%, emphasizing public and eco-friendly transport options. An intelligent traffic management system helps streamline transportation, while a fully integrated electronic payment system allows for seamless travel using mobile apps, transport cards, and debit or credit cards. With an international airport in close proximity, Oslo remains well-connected to the rest of the world.
Sustainability is a defining feature of Oslo’s urban planning. The city actively promotes renewable energy, supported by municipal policies that encourage clean energy adoption. With an efficient electricity use rate of 0.4 per GDP and an average PM10 air pollution level of 24, Oslo remains committed to maintaining a clean and healthy environment. The city also has a recycling rate of 41%, reflecting its dedication to waste management and circular economy practices.
Oslo’s economy is diverse and resilient, driven by a strong entrepreneurial spirit. The city is home to 105.45 businesses per 1,000 residents, showcasing its global economic reach. While earnings deviate only slightly from the national average at 4%, Oslo remains a highly desirable place for businesses and professionals seeking stability, innovation, and a high quality of life.
Education and innovation are fundamental to Oslo’s identity. While the city's highest-ranked university falls within the 101-150 range globally, its commitment to education is evident. With free higher education, residents do not need to allocate any portion of their income to cover study costs. An impressive 90% of Oslo’s population speaks at least one foreign language, and 96% possess digital skills, making the city one of the most technologically advanced in the world. Though Oslo registers 0.53 patents per 10,000 residents, its innovative spirit is reflected in other areas, particularly in digital transformation and governance.
Governance and transparency are cornerstones of Oslo’s administration. Voter turnout in the last local elections stood at an impressive 69.3%, demonstrating strong civic engagement. The city maintains an open data portal with 100 datasets available to the public, fostering transparency and data-driven policy decisions. Oslo’s digital governance is well-established, offering e-services such as fault reporting, electronic payments, and online appointment scheduling. An up-to-date and officially adopted development strategy ensures the city remains on a path of sustainable growth and modernization.
Health and well-being are prioritized in Oslo. With universal medical insurance and 5.2 doctors per 1,000 residents, the city provides comprehensive healthcare services. Life expectancy is high at 83.4 years, though challenges such as a 26% obesity rate remain. Mental health support is robust, with 22% of the adult population receiving coordinated care. Oslo maintains a low suicide attempt rate of 0.11 per 1,000 residents, reflecting the city's investment in mental health and overall well-being.
Oslo’s mobility and transport network is designed with sustainability in mind. The city boasts a green mobility share of 71.5%, emphasizing public and eco-friendly transport options. An intelligent traffic management system helps streamline transportation, while a fully integrated electronic payment system allows for seamless travel using mobile apps, transport cards, and debit or credit cards. With an international airport in close proximity, Oslo remains well-connected to the rest of the world.
Sustainability is a defining feature of Oslo’s urban planning. The city actively promotes renewable energy, supported by municipal policies that encourage clean energy adoption. With an efficient electricity use rate of 0.4 per GDP and an average PM10 air pollution level of 24, Oslo remains committed to maintaining a clean and healthy environment. The city also has a recycling rate of 41%, reflecting its dedication to waste management and circular economy practices.
Oslo’s economy is diverse and resilient, driven by a strong entrepreneurial spirit. The city is home to 105.45 businesses per 1,000 residents, showcasing its global economic reach. While earnings deviate only slightly from the national average at 4%, Oslo remains a highly desirable place for businesses and professionals seeking stability, innovation, and a high quality of life.