City Profile: Seoul
General Overview
Education & Innovation
Governance & Transparency
Health & Well-being
Mobility & Transport
Environment & Sustainability
Economy & Business
General Overview
- Country: South Korea
- Population of the city: 9605419
- Area of the city measured in square kilometres (km²): 605.2
- Budget of the city in 2024 (GBP): 25 321 400 000 GBP
- Percentage of population of the country living in the city: 18.60%
- GDP PER PERSON: 29004
- REAL GDB - GROWTH: 2.3
- Percentage of all employed individuals in public administration: 10.30%
Education & Innovation
- The highest ranking position of university in global educational indexes: first 50
- Percentage of citizens taking part in formal education - lifelong learning: 3.40%
- The percentage of income that should be allocated to cover the cost of studies: 11.00%
- Percentage of population of the city with a master's degree: 4.10%
- Percentage of the population who knew at least one foreign language: 62.80%
- Percentage of population with digital skills: 74.00%
- Patent granted per 10,000 residents: 25.91
Governance & Transparency
- Voter turnout in the last local elections (%): 53.30%
- Percentage of the city's budget to supporting innovation: 2.00%
- 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: 8086
- 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: 6
Health & Well-being
- Percentage of population with medical insurance: 100.00%
- Number of doctors per 1,000 residents: 2.5
- Life Expectancy Rate (at birth): 85
- Obesity rate: 38.40%
- Average number of working hours: 36.3
- Percentage of the adult population receiving support and coordinated mental health care: 6.90%
- The number of suicide attempts per 1,000 residents: 0.27
- Number of recorded incidents of violence in public places per 1000 residents: 1.11
Mobility & Transport
- Green Mobility Share (%): 72.00%
- 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: 0.1
- 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: 66.7
- Number of traffic-related fatalities per 10000 residents: 0.19
- 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): 0.37
- Average PM10 value in the city: 38
- Existence of biodiversity protection strategy in the city: yes
- Amount of waste produced per resident (tons): 0.27
- Percentage of the population that is served by sewage treatment facilities: 100.00%
- Recycling rate: 40.00%
- Number of parks per square kilometre: 3.62
- 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: 122.56
- Unemployment rate: 3.00%
- Number of foreign affiliates per 10,000 residents: 3.9
- Percentage deviation in earnings relative to the national average: 13.00%
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:
942
Seoul, the vibrant capital of South Korea, is a city where technological innovation, cultural heritage, and economic strength intersect. Home to over 9.6 million residents, the city covers 605.2 square kilometres and serves as a hub for business, governance, and education. Representing 18.6% of the country’s total population, Seoul is a powerhouse of economic activity, boasting a GDP per capita of 29,004 GBP and a steady growth rate of 2.3%. With a city budget of 25.3 billion GBP in 2024, Seoul continues to lead in infrastructure development, digital transformation, and sustainable urban planning.
Education and innovation are fundamental to Seoul’s global influence. Home to universities ranked in the top 50 worldwide, the city fosters an intellectual and research-driven environment. Though only 4.1% of residents hold a master’s degree, Seoul is a leader in technological advancements, producing an impressive 25.91 patents per 10,000 residents. With 62.8% of its population speaking at least one foreign language and 74% possessing digital skills, Seoul remains a key player in the global knowledge economy. Lifelong learning is encouraged, with 3.4% of citizens participating in ongoing education despite the relatively high cost of studies, which requires 11% of an individual’s income.
Governance and transparency are defining features of Seoul’s administration. Voter turnout in the last local elections stood at 53.3%, reflecting strong civic participation. The city dedicates 2% of its budget to supporting innovation, ensuring continued investment in technological progress. With an open data platform offering access to 8,086 datasets, Seoul promotes transparency and data-driven policy decisions. Residents benefit from advanced e-governance, with digital services for fault reporting, electronic payments, and online appointment scheduling. The city’s strategic planning is guided by six sectoral strategies, ensuring balanced and forward-thinking urban development.
Health and well-being are prioritized in Seoul’s urban policies. With universal medical insurance and 2.5 doctors per 1,000 residents, the city ensures broad access to healthcare. Life expectancy is high at 85 years, though challenges such as a 38.4% obesity rate persist. Mental health support is expanding, with 6.9% of adults receiving coordinated care. Despite its size, Seoul maintains a relatively low suicide attempt rate of 0.27 per 1,000 residents, and incidents of public violence are rare, with only 1.11 recorded cases per 1,000 residents, making it one of the safest global cities.
Seoul’s mobility and transport system is one of the most advanced in the world. With a green mobility share of 72%, the city prioritizes sustainable transportation. An intelligent traffic management system enhances efficiency, and public transport is highly digitized, allowing seamless payments via mobile apps, transport cards, or credit and debit cards. While 66.7% of public transport vehicles are fully adapted for people with mobility disabilities, continued efforts are being made to enhance accessibility. Road safety remains a priority, with traffic-related fatalities recorded at just 0.19 per 10,000 residents. Comprehensive real-time transport data and journey planning tools further improve urban connectivity.
Sustainability is deeply integrated into Seoul’s urban framework. The city has a strong biodiversity protection strategy and actively promotes renewable energy solutions. While 100% of the population is served by sewage treatment facilities, waste management remains a challenge, with 0.27 tons of waste produced per resident annually. The recycling rate stands at 40%, and Seoul continues to expand its green spaces, with 3.62 parks per square kilometre. With an average PM10 pollution level of 38, air quality remains an area for further improvement despite ongoing environmental policies.
Seoul’s economy thrives on entrepreneurship and global commerce. The city supports 122.56 businesses per 1,000 residents, reflecting its dynamic business landscape. The unemployment rate remains low at 3%, while earnings exceed the national average by 13%, attracting skilled professionals from around the world. Seoul maintains its position as a key player in international investment and trade
Education and innovation are fundamental to Seoul’s global influence. Home to universities ranked in the top 50 worldwide, the city fosters an intellectual and research-driven environment. Though only 4.1% of residents hold a master’s degree, Seoul is a leader in technological advancements, producing an impressive 25.91 patents per 10,000 residents. With 62.8% of its population speaking at least one foreign language and 74% possessing digital skills, Seoul remains a key player in the global knowledge economy. Lifelong learning is encouraged, with 3.4% of citizens participating in ongoing education despite the relatively high cost of studies, which requires 11% of an individual’s income.
Governance and transparency are defining features of Seoul’s administration. Voter turnout in the last local elections stood at 53.3%, reflecting strong civic participation. The city dedicates 2% of its budget to supporting innovation, ensuring continued investment in technological progress. With an open data platform offering access to 8,086 datasets, Seoul promotes transparency and data-driven policy decisions. Residents benefit from advanced e-governance, with digital services for fault reporting, electronic payments, and online appointment scheduling. The city’s strategic planning is guided by six sectoral strategies, ensuring balanced and forward-thinking urban development.
Health and well-being are prioritized in Seoul’s urban policies. With universal medical insurance and 2.5 doctors per 1,000 residents, the city ensures broad access to healthcare. Life expectancy is high at 85 years, though challenges such as a 38.4% obesity rate persist. Mental health support is expanding, with 6.9% of adults receiving coordinated care. Despite its size, Seoul maintains a relatively low suicide attempt rate of 0.27 per 1,000 residents, and incidents of public violence are rare, with only 1.11 recorded cases per 1,000 residents, making it one of the safest global cities.
Seoul’s mobility and transport system is one of the most advanced in the world. With a green mobility share of 72%, the city prioritizes sustainable transportation. An intelligent traffic management system enhances efficiency, and public transport is highly digitized, allowing seamless payments via mobile apps, transport cards, or credit and debit cards. While 66.7% of public transport vehicles are fully adapted for people with mobility disabilities, continued efforts are being made to enhance accessibility. Road safety remains a priority, with traffic-related fatalities recorded at just 0.19 per 10,000 residents. Comprehensive real-time transport data and journey planning tools further improve urban connectivity.
Sustainability is deeply integrated into Seoul’s urban framework. The city has a strong biodiversity protection strategy and actively promotes renewable energy solutions. While 100% of the population is served by sewage treatment facilities, waste management remains a challenge, with 0.27 tons of waste produced per resident annually. The recycling rate stands at 40%, and Seoul continues to expand its green spaces, with 3.62 parks per square kilometre. With an average PM10 pollution level of 38, air quality remains an area for further improvement despite ongoing environmental policies.
Seoul’s economy thrives on entrepreneurship and global commerce. The city supports 122.56 businesses per 1,000 residents, reflecting its dynamic business landscape. The unemployment rate remains low at 3%, while earnings exceed the national average by 13%, attracting skilled professionals from around the world. Seoul maintains its position as a key player in international investment and trade