City Profile: Paris
General Overview
Education & Innovation
Governance & Transparency
Health & Well-being
Mobility & Transport
Environment & Sustainability
Economy & Business
General Overview
- Country: France
- Population of the city: 2102650
- Area of the city measured in square kilometres (km²): 105.4
- Budget of the city in 2024 (GBP): 8 170 000 000 GBP
- Percentage of population of the country living in the city: 3.20%
- GDP PER PERSON: 40572
- REAL GDB - GROWTH: 1.2
- Percentage of all employed individuals in public administration: 20.00%
Education & Innovation
- The highest ranking position of university in global educational indexes: 101-150
- Percentage of citizens taking part in formal education - lifelong learning: 3.00%
- The percentage of income that should be allocated to cover the cost of studies: 0.50%
- Percentage of population of the city with a master's degree: 15.60%
- Percentage of the population who knew at least one foreign language: 39.00%
- Percentage of population with digital skills: 72.00%
- Patent granted per 10,000 residents: 2.34
Governance & Transparency
- Voter turnout in the most recent supranational elections (%): 51.49%
- Voter turnout in the last local elections (%): 32.00%
- 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: 436
- 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: 15
Health & Well-being
- Percentage of population with medical insurance: 100.00%
- Number of doctors per 1,000 residents: 3.3
- Life Expectancy Rate (at birth): 83
- Obesity rate: 23.00%
- Average number of working hours: 35
- Percentage of the adult population receiving support and coordinated mental health care: 20.00%
- The number of suicide attempts per 1,000 residents: 3.01
- Number of recorded incidents of violence in public places per 1000 residents: 112.08
Mobility & Transport
- Green Mobility Share (%): 61.90%
- 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: 0.04
- 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: 1.34
- 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): 0.17
- Average PM10 value in the city: 25
- Existence of biodiversity protection strategy in the city: yes
- Amount of waste produced per resident (tons): 0.05
- Percentage of the population that is served by sewage treatment facilities: 95.00%
- Recycling rate: 47.00%
- Number of parks per square kilometre: 3.99
- 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: 375.24
- Number of new businesses per 1,000 residents: 43.26
- Unemployment rate: 6.00%
- Number of foreign affiliates per 10,000 residents: 3
- Percentage deviation in earnings relative to the national average: 26.00%
- Percentage of employed people with disabilities: 21.00%
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:
909
Paris, the heart of France, is a city where history, culture, and modern innovation converge. With a population of just over 2.1 million and covering only 105.4 square kilometres, Paris is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. As a financial and cultural capital, the city boasts a substantial budget of 8.17 billion GBP in 2024, contributing to 3.2% of the national population and maintaining a steady economic growth rate of 1.2%.
Education and innovation shape the intellectual landscape of Paris. Home to universities ranked within the 101-150 range globally, the city fosters a highly educated population, with 15.6% holding a master’s degree. Lifelong learning is encouraged, though only 3% of citizens currently participate in formal education beyond their initial studies. With 39% of Parisians fluent in at least one foreign language and 72% possessing digital skills, the city is well-equipped for the challenges of the modern world. Paris also thrives as a centre of creativity, producing 2.34 patents per 10,000 residents, reinforcing its global reputation for technological and artistic innovation.
Governance and transparency remain central to Parisian administration. While voter turnout in the last local elections stood at 32%, civic participation was stronger in supranational elections, reaching 51.49%. The city actively promotes transparency through its open data platform, providing access to 436 datasets that inform policy decisions and civic engagement. Digital governance is well-developed, offering services such as fault reporting, electronic payments, and online appointment scheduling. With 15 sectoral strategies guiding its future, Paris continues to evolve while preserving its historic charm.
Health and well-being are at the core of life in Paris. With universal medical insurance coverage and 3.3 doctors per 1,000 residents, the city ensures comprehensive healthcare services. Life expectancy stands at 83 years, though Paris faces challenges such as a 23% obesity rate. Mental health remains a focus, with 20% of the adult population receiving coordinated care. However, public safety remains a concern, with 112.08 recorded incidents of violence per 1,000 residents and a suicide attempt rate of 3.01 per 1,000 residents, highlighting the need for ongoing social initiatives and urban security measures.
Mobility and transport in Paris are designed to support its dynamic urban environment. With a green mobility share of 61.9%, the city continues to expand its commitment to sustainable transportation. An intelligent traffic management system enhances efficiency, while electronic payment systems streamline access to public transit. All public transport vehicles are fully adapted for passengers with mobility disabilities, ensuring inclusivity. However, road safety remains a challenge, with traffic-related fatalities standing at 1.34 per 10,000 residents. Real-time public transport data and journey planning services provide commuters with efficient travel options.
Sustainability is deeply embedded in Paris’s urban strategy. The city promotes biodiversity protection and renewable energy adoption while ensuring that 95% of its population is served by sewage treatment facilities. The recycling rate stands at 47%, and with 3.99 parks per square kilometre, Paris remains a green oasis despite its urban density. While the average PM10 level is 25, continued environmental initiatives aim to improve air quality and reduce waste production, currently at 0.05 tons per resident annually.
Paris’s economy thrives on entrepreneurship and global commerce. The city hosts an impressive 375.24 businesses per 1,000 residents, with 43.26 new businesses established annually per 1,000 residents. The unemployment rate stands at 6%, while earnings exceed the national average by 26%, making Paris an attractive hub for professionals. The city also prioritizes inclusivity, with 21% of employed individuals having disabilities.
Education and innovation shape the intellectual landscape of Paris. Home to universities ranked within the 101-150 range globally, the city fosters a highly educated population, with 15.6% holding a master’s degree. Lifelong learning is encouraged, though only 3% of citizens currently participate in formal education beyond their initial studies. With 39% of Parisians fluent in at least one foreign language and 72% possessing digital skills, the city is well-equipped for the challenges of the modern world. Paris also thrives as a centre of creativity, producing 2.34 patents per 10,000 residents, reinforcing its global reputation for technological and artistic innovation.
Governance and transparency remain central to Parisian administration. While voter turnout in the last local elections stood at 32%, civic participation was stronger in supranational elections, reaching 51.49%. The city actively promotes transparency through its open data platform, providing access to 436 datasets that inform policy decisions and civic engagement. Digital governance is well-developed, offering services such as fault reporting, electronic payments, and online appointment scheduling. With 15 sectoral strategies guiding its future, Paris continues to evolve while preserving its historic charm.
Health and well-being are at the core of life in Paris. With universal medical insurance coverage and 3.3 doctors per 1,000 residents, the city ensures comprehensive healthcare services. Life expectancy stands at 83 years, though Paris faces challenges such as a 23% obesity rate. Mental health remains a focus, with 20% of the adult population receiving coordinated care. However, public safety remains a concern, with 112.08 recorded incidents of violence per 1,000 residents and a suicide attempt rate of 3.01 per 1,000 residents, highlighting the need for ongoing social initiatives and urban security measures.
Mobility and transport in Paris are designed to support its dynamic urban environment. With a green mobility share of 61.9%, the city continues to expand its commitment to sustainable transportation. An intelligent traffic management system enhances efficiency, while electronic payment systems streamline access to public transit. All public transport vehicles are fully adapted for passengers with mobility disabilities, ensuring inclusivity. However, road safety remains a challenge, with traffic-related fatalities standing at 1.34 per 10,000 residents. Real-time public transport data and journey planning services provide commuters with efficient travel options.
Sustainability is deeply embedded in Paris’s urban strategy. The city promotes biodiversity protection and renewable energy adoption while ensuring that 95% of its population is served by sewage treatment facilities. The recycling rate stands at 47%, and with 3.99 parks per square kilometre, Paris remains a green oasis despite its urban density. While the average PM10 level is 25, continued environmental initiatives aim to improve air quality and reduce waste production, currently at 0.05 tons per resident annually.
Paris’s economy thrives on entrepreneurship and global commerce. The city hosts an impressive 375.24 businesses per 1,000 residents, with 43.26 new businesses established annually per 1,000 residents. The unemployment rate stands at 6%, while earnings exceed the national average by 26%, making Paris an attractive hub for professionals. The city also prioritizes inclusivity, with 21% of employed individuals having disabilities.