Results by theme
Share of indicators in each theme where Seoul scores above the average or has the policy in place.
SEOUL (rank 26) - South Korea
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.
- For important decisions, verify relevant data with official sources.
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Source: Institute for Quality of Life, Happy City Index 2026.
Happy City Index 2026 · City profile
Seoul against the Index average
Results for all 64 indicators, grouped into six themes: citizens, governance, environment, economy, health and mobility.
Total score6487
CategoryGold
Above the average34/51
Policies in place12/13
All 64 indicators at a glance
One square per indicator, ordered by theme. Hover for details.
34 above average12 policies in place15 below avg. / missing3 neutral
7of 10
Citizens
12of 17
Governance
6of 7
Environment
6of 10
Economy
7of 12
Health
8of 8
Mobility
01Selected results
EnvironmentGreen mobility share
76%
Index average: 45%
MobilityPublic transport trips per resident a year
392
Index average: 194
EconomyPatents per 100,000 inhabitants
475
Index average: 179
EnvironmentRecycling rate
69%
Index average: 44%
HealthAdults classified as overweight or obese
30.2%
Index average: 52%
CitizensHomeless people per 10,000 residents
0.79
Index average: 5.3
GovernanceLibraries per 10 km²
3.4
Index average: 1.2
HealthLife expectancy at birth
83.7
Index average: 81.3
EconomyYouth unemployment rate
5.4%
Index average: 12.4%
SeoulIndex average
02Largest differences from the average
Ahead of the average
- GDP Growth (%)100× avg2.00% vs 0.02%
- Libraries per 10 km²2.9× avg3.42 vs 1.16
- Patents per 100,000 Inhabitants2.7× avg475.33 vs 178.84
- Public Transport Ridership per Capita2.0× avg392.00 vs 193.80
- Distance to the Nearest International Airport100% lower0 vs 21.44
- Presence of a Globally Ranked Higher Education Institution86% lower38 vs 276.16
- Homeless People per 10,000 Residents85% lower0.79 vs 5.27
- Intentional Homicides per 100,000 Residents69% lower6.45 vs 20.62
Behind the average
- Cost of Higher Education Compared to Average Annual Salary143× avg10% vs 0.07%
- Housing Affordability Ratio3.2× avg16.18 vs 5.12
- Net Internal Migration Rate per 1,000 Populationnegative-0.60 vs 3.58
- Green Space per Capita−78%15.72 vs 72.57
- Psychiatrists per 100,000 Inhabitants−51%8.10 vs 16.38
- Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration48% higher17.60 vs 11.86
- Paid Parental Leave Weeks at 50% or More of Salary−46%13 vs 24.21
- Cultural Institutions per 100,000 Residents−42%4.7 vs 8.15
- Population Able to Communicate in a Foreign Language (%)−41%20.0% vs 34.14%
03All indicators
SeoulOverall averageAbove averageBelow average
Citizens
7 above avg.2 below avg.10 indicators
Urban Innovation Ecosystem Potential
Above average
School Density
Above average
Higher Education Accessibility
In place
Presence of a Globally Ranked Higher Education Institution
Above average
Cost of Higher Education Compared to Average Annual Salary
Below average
Residents with a Master's Degree (%)
Above average
Population Able to Communicate in a Foreign Language (%)
Below average
Use of Electronic Banking Services (%)
Above average
Population Aged 65+ Benefiting from Municipal Home Care (%)
Above average
Homeless People per 10,000 Residents
Above average
Governance
12 above avg.3 below avg.17 indicators
Availability of City Website
Above average
Net Internal Migration Rate per 1,000 Population
Below average
Pupils per School Building
Above average
Employment in Creative Industries (%)
Above average
Housing Affordability Ratio
Below average
Housing Affordability Ratio (Rent)
Above average
Cultural Institutions per 100,000 Residents
Below average
Libraries per 10 km²
Above 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
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
6 above avg.1 below avg.7 indicators
Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration
Below average
Green Mobility Share (%)
Above average
Waste Generated per Resident
Above average
Population Served by Sewage Treatment Facilities (%)
Above average
Recycling Rate (%)
Above average
Landfill Waste Burden
Above average
Biodiversity Protection Strategy
In place
Economy
6 above avg.4 below avg.10 indicators
GDP per Capita
Below average
GDP Growth (%)
Above average
Patents per 100,000 Inhabitants
Above average
Businesses per 1,000 Residents
Below average
City Fiscal Power Index
Above average
Annual Average Unemployment Rate
Above average
Annual Average Youth Unemployment Rate
Above average
Youth Unemployment Ratio
Above average
Percentage Deviation in Earnings Relative to the National Average
Below average
Paid Parental Leave Weeks at 50% or More of Salary
Below average
Health
7 above avg.5 below avg.12 indicators
Psychiatrists per 100,000 Inhabitants
Below 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)
Below average
Population Covered by Medical Insurance (%)
Above average
Intentional Homicides per 100,000 Residents
Above average
Adults Classified as Overweight or Obese (%)
Above average
Parks per km²
Above average
Green Space per Capita
Below average
Average Weekly Working Hours
Above average
Average Number of Paid Vacation Days
Below average
Life Expectancy at Birth
Above average
Mobility
8 above avg.0 below avg.8 indicators
Accessibility of Electronic Payment Systems in Transport
Above average
Distance to the Nearest International Airport
Above average
Access Modes to the Nearest Airport
Above average
Public Transport Ridership per Capita
Above average
Accessible Public Transport Fleet (%)
Above average
Road Traffic Accidents per 1,000 Residents
Above 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.
