Results by theme
Share of indicators in each theme where Reykjavik scores above the average or has the policy in place.
REYKJAVIK (rank 20) - Iceland
About the data
Methodology
How to read these results
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.
- Scores compare each city with the average across all cities in the Index.
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Source: Institute for Quality of Life, Happy City Index 2026.
Happy City Index 2026 · City profile
Reykjavik against the Index average
Results for all 64 indicators, grouped into six themes: citizens, governance, environment, economy, health and mobility.
Total score6514
CategoryGold
Above the average33/51
Policies in place11/13
All 64 indicators at a glance
One square per indicator, ordered by theme. Hover for details.
33 above average11 policies in place17 below avg. / missing3 neutral
7of 10
Citizens
12of 17
Governance
5of 7
Environment
8of 10
Economy
8of 12
Health
4of 8
Mobility
01Selected results
CitizensResidents who speak a foreign language
98%
Index average: 34%
GovernanceCultural institutions per 100,000 residents
20.4
Index average: 8.2
CitizensHomeless people per 10,000 residents
0.56
Index average: 5.27
EnvironmentRecycling rate
72%
Index average: 44%
GovernanceTurnout in local elections
60.8%
Index average: 49.8%
EconomyPaid parental leave at 50%+ of salary
52 weeks
Index average: 24 weeks
EconomyBusinesses per 1,000 residents
359
Index average: 138
EnvironmentAnnual average PM2.5 concentration
3.4
Index average: 11.9
HealthGreen space per resident
390
Index average: 73
ReykjavikIndex average
02Largest differences from the average
Ahead of the average
- Green Space per Capita5.4× avg389.82 vs 72.57
- Population Able to Communicate in a Foreign Language (%)2.9× avg98.0% vs 34.14%
- Businesses per 1,000 Residents2.6× avg358.86 vs 138.18
- Urban Innovation Ecosystem Potential2.5× avg218.27 vs 86.02
- Cultural Institutions per 100,000 Residents2.5× avg20.4 vs 8.15
- Paid Parental Leave Weeks at 50% or More of Salary2.1× avg52 vs 24.21
- Cost of Higher Education Compared to Average Annual Salary100% lower0% vs 0.07%
- Homeless People per 10,000 Residents89% lower0.56 vs 5.27
Behind the average
- GDP Growth (%)negative-1.20% vs 0.02%
- Distance to the Nearest International Airport2.3× avg50 vs 21.44
- Presence of a Globally Ranked Higher Education Institution81% higher501 vs 276.16
- Libraries per 10 km²−75%0.29 vs 1.16
- Public Transport Ridership per Capita−74%50.00 vs 193.80
- Green Mobility Share (%)−45%25.0% vs 45.25%
- Housing Affordability Ratio (Rent)36% higher44% vs 32.32%
- Adults Classified as Overweight or Obese (%)26% higher66% vs 52.29%
- Waste Generated per Resident18% higher0.60 vs 0.51
03All indicators
ReykjavikOverall averageAbove averageBelow average
Citizens
7 above avg.2 below avg.10 indicators
Urban Innovation Ecosystem Potential
Above average
School Density
Below average
Higher Education Accessibility
In place
Presence of a Globally Ranked Higher Education Institution
Below average
Cost of Higher Education Compared to Average Annual Salary
Above average
Residents with a Master's Degree (%)
Above average
Population Able to Communicate in a Foreign Language (%)
Above average
Use of Electronic Banking Services (%)
Above average
Population Aged 65+ Benefiting from Municipal Home Care (%)
Below average
Homeless People per 10,000 Residents
Above average
Governance
12 above avg.3 below avg.17 indicators
Availability of City Website
Below average
Net Internal Migration Rate per 1,000 Population
Above average
Pupils per School Building
Above average
Employment in Creative Industries (%)
Above average
Housing Affordability Ratio
Above average
Housing Affordability Ratio (Rent)
Below average
Cultural Institutions per 100,000 Residents
Above average
Libraries per 10 km²
Below average
Voter Turnout in the Last Local Elections (%)
Above average
Open Data Portal Availability
In place
Datasets Available in Machine-Readable Formats
In place
Fault Reporting System via Website or Mobile App
In place
Electronic Payments for Municipal Services
In place
Online Appointment Booking with City Hall
Not in place
Up-to-Date Official Development Strategy
In place
Key Elements Included in the Strategy
Above average
AI Awareness in City Strategies
In place
Environment
5 above avg.2 below avg.7 indicators
Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration
Above average
Green Mobility Share (%)
Below average
Waste Generated per Resident
Below average
Population Served by Sewage Treatment Facilities (%)
Above average
Recycling Rate (%)
Above average
Landfill Waste Burden
Above average
Biodiversity Protection Strategy
In place
Economy
8 above avg.2 below avg.10 indicators
GDP per Capita
Above average
GDP Growth (%)
Below average
Patents per 100,000 Inhabitants
Above average
Businesses per 1,000 Residents
Above average
City Fiscal Power Index
Above average
Annual Average Unemployment Rate
Above average
Annual Average Youth Unemployment Rate
Above average
Youth Unemployment Ratio
Below average
Percentage Deviation in Earnings Relative to the National Average
Above average
Paid Parental Leave Weeks at 50% or More of Salary
Above average
Health
8 above avg.4 below avg.12 indicators
Psychiatrists per 100,000 Inhabitants
Above average
Mental Health or Well-Being Strategy
In place
Strategy to Prevent and Address Hate Speech or Cyberbullying
Not in place
Licensed Medical Doctors Practising in the City (FTE)
Above average
Population Covered by Medical Insurance (%)
Above average
Intentional Homicides per 100,000 Residents
Below average
Adults Classified as Overweight or Obese (%)
Below average
Parks per km²
Below average
Green Space per Capita
Above average
Average Weekly Working Hours
Above average
Average Number of Paid Vacation Days
Above average
Life Expectancy at Birth
Above average
Mobility
4 above avg.4 below avg.8 indicators
Accessibility of Electronic Payment Systems in Transport
Above average
Distance to the Nearest International Airport
Below average
Access Modes to the Nearest Airport
Below average
Public Transport Ridership per Capita
Below average
Accessible Public Transport Fleet (%)
Above average
Road Traffic Accidents per 1,000 Residents
Below average
Open Public Transport Data Availability
In place
Integrated Journey Planner Availability
In place
Note: bars are scaled separately for each indicator. For indicators where a lower value is preferable, such as unemployment or PM2.5, a lower result is counted as above average. Differences in section 02 are relative to the Index average; bars are capped at 150%.
Source: Institute for Quality of Life, Happy City Index 2026.
