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

Happy City Index 2026

Our Team

Behind the Happy City Index stands an international community of researchers whose collective work makes rigorous, comparable and evidence-based assessments of urban quality of life possible.

The Index is the outcome of a large, independent research effort. Researchers, analysts and collaborators based in many different countries work to a common methodology, gathering and reviewing evidence on each city so that results can be compared fairly across regions and national contexts.

Their contributions are guided by a Scientific Committee and brought together in a single, transparent framework. What unites them is a shared purpose: to understand more clearly what makes cities good places to live, and to give residents, policymakers and researchers a sound basis for comparison.

The 2026 research community

Figures for the 2026 edition of the Happy City Index.

Joined the project
863
People who registered to take part in the 2026 research programme.
Completed the research
466
Researchers who carried their work through to completion.
Featured on this page
437
Researchers who have chosen to be acknowledged publicly.

Scientific Committee

Responsible for the academic direction of the Index and its research areas.

2026 Researchers

  • LinkedIn profile
  • Personal or academic website

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Happy City Index 2026Researchers are listed alphabetically by first name. Linked names open in a new tab.

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