City Profile: Singapore
General Overview
Education & Innovation
Governance & Transparency
Health & Well-being
Mobility & Transport
Environment & Sustainability
Economy & Business
General Overview
- Country: Singapore
- Population of the city: 6039000
- Area of the city measured in square kilometres (km²): 734.3
- Budget of the city in 2024 (GBP): 56 347 500 000 GBP
- GDP PER PERSON: 70811
- REAL GDB - GROWTH: 4
- Percentage of all employed individuals in public administration: 2.60%
Education & Innovation
- The highest ranking position of university in global educational indexes: first 50
- The percentage of income that should be allocated to cover the cost of studies: 13.40%
- Percentage of the population who knew at least one foreign language: 63.80%
- Percentage of population with digital skills: 55.00%
- Patent granted per 10,000 residents: 7.37
Governance & Transparency
- Voter turnout in the last local elections (%): 95.81%
- Percentage of the city's budget to supporting innovation: 30.00%
- Percentage of the city’s budget allocated to projects run by NGOs: 0.07%
- Number of residents (per 1000) involved in local governance structures: 0.07
- 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
- 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: 7
Health & Well-being
- Percentage of population with medical insurance: 100.00%
- Number of doctors per 1,000 residents: 2.8
- Life Expectancy Rate (at birth): 83
- Obesity rate: 11.60%
- Average number of working hours: 43.6
- Percentage of the adult population receiving support and coordinated mental health care: 15.00%
- The number of suicide attempts per 1,000 residents: 0.06
- Number of recorded incidents of violence in public places per 1000 residents: 3.31
Mobility & Transport
- Green Mobility Share (%): 67.00%
- 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: 0.06
- 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: 0.24
- 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): 0.13
- Average PM10 value in the city: 24
- Existence of biodiversity protection strategy in the city: yes
- Amount of waste produced per resident (tons): 1.27
- Percentage of the population that is served by sewage treatment facilities: 100.00%
- Recycling rate: 35.00%
- Number of parks per square kilometre: 0.62
- 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: 101.67
- Number of new businesses per 1,000 residents: 101.67
- Unemployment rate: 2.00%
- Number of foreign affiliates per 10,000 residents: 12
- Percentage of employed people with disabilities: 2.00%
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:
979
Singapore, a city-state unlike any other, stands as a global beacon of economic prosperity, governance, and urban innovation. Home to over 6 million residents, the entire nation is encapsulated within a single, thriving metropolis that spans 734.3 square kilometres. With a staggering budget of 56.3 billion GBP in 2024, Singapore continues to push the boundaries of what a modern city can achieve. Boasting a GDP per capita of 70,811 GBP and a robust real GDP growth rate of 4%, Singapore exemplifies economic dynamism and strategic development.
Education and innovation are at the heart of Singapore’s success. The city is home to world-renowned universities ranked in the top 50 globally, reinforcing its reputation as a leader in academia and research. With 63.8% of its population speaking at least one foreign language and 55% possessing digital skills, Singapore maintains its global connectivity. The city fosters technological progress, granting 7.37 patents per 10,000 residents, ensuring a steady pipeline of innovation. Despite education being a priority, the cost of studies requires 13.4% of an individual’s income, making affordability a continuing area of focus.
Governance and transparency define Singapore’s administrative excellence. Voter turnout in the last local elections reached an impressive 95.81%, highlighting high levels of civic engagement. A remarkable 30% of the city’s budget is allocated to supporting innovation, positioning Singapore as a global leader in smart urban development. The city operates a comprehensive open data platform, making 8,086 datasets available for public access. Digital governance is seamlessly integrated into daily life, offering e-services for fault reporting, online payments, and appointment scheduling. Seven sectoral strategies guide Singapore’s development, ensuring holistic and forward-thinking urban planning.
Health and well-being are key pillars of life in Singapore. With universal medical insurance and 2.8 doctors per 1,000 residents, healthcare is both accessible and efficient. Life expectancy stands at an impressive 83 years, while the obesity rate remains low at 11.6%, reflecting a strong emphasis on public health initiatives. Mental health services are expanding, with 15% of the adult population receiving coordinated care. The city maintains a remarkably low suicide attempt rate of 0.06 per 1,000 residents and a minimal crime rate, with just 3.31 recorded incidents of public violence per 1,000 residents, making Singapore one of the safest cities in the world.
Singapore’s mobility and transport infrastructure is among the most advanced globally. With a green mobility share of 67%, the city prioritizes sustainable transit options. An intelligent traffic management system ensures smooth urban movement, while commuters benefit from fully integrated electronic payment systems. All public transport vehicles are fully adapted for people with mobility disabilities, ensuring accessibility for all. Traffic-related fatalities remain low at 0.24 per 10,000 residents, thanks to stringent safety measures and efficient urban planning. Real-time public transport data and journey planning tools further enhance the commuter experience.
Sustainability is at the core of Singapore’s urban policies. The city is a pioneer in biodiversity protection and renewable energy adoption. With 100% of the population served by sewage treatment facilities, Singapore upholds high environmental standards. Waste management remains a challenge, with 1.27 tons of waste produced per resident annually, yet recycling efforts continue to improve, currently reaching a rate of 35%. The city is abundant in green spaces, boasting 0.62 parks per square kilometre, further cementing its reputation as a garden city.
Singapore’s economy is an engine of global commerce and entrepreneurship. With 101.67 businesses per 1,000 residents and an equal number of new businesses emerging each year, the city thrives on innovation and market agility. The unemployment rate remains exceptionally low at 2%, reflecting its robust job market.
Education and innovation are at the heart of Singapore’s success. The city is home to world-renowned universities ranked in the top 50 globally, reinforcing its reputation as a leader in academia and research. With 63.8% of its population speaking at least one foreign language and 55% possessing digital skills, Singapore maintains its global connectivity. The city fosters technological progress, granting 7.37 patents per 10,000 residents, ensuring a steady pipeline of innovation. Despite education being a priority, the cost of studies requires 13.4% of an individual’s income, making affordability a continuing area of focus.
Governance and transparency define Singapore’s administrative excellence. Voter turnout in the last local elections reached an impressive 95.81%, highlighting high levels of civic engagement. A remarkable 30% of the city’s budget is allocated to supporting innovation, positioning Singapore as a global leader in smart urban development. The city operates a comprehensive open data platform, making 8,086 datasets available for public access. Digital governance is seamlessly integrated into daily life, offering e-services for fault reporting, online payments, and appointment scheduling. Seven sectoral strategies guide Singapore’s development, ensuring holistic and forward-thinking urban planning.
Health and well-being are key pillars of life in Singapore. With universal medical insurance and 2.8 doctors per 1,000 residents, healthcare is both accessible and efficient. Life expectancy stands at an impressive 83 years, while the obesity rate remains low at 11.6%, reflecting a strong emphasis on public health initiatives. Mental health services are expanding, with 15% of the adult population receiving coordinated care. The city maintains a remarkably low suicide attempt rate of 0.06 per 1,000 residents and a minimal crime rate, with just 3.31 recorded incidents of public violence per 1,000 residents, making Singapore one of the safest cities in the world.
Singapore’s mobility and transport infrastructure is among the most advanced globally. With a green mobility share of 67%, the city prioritizes sustainable transit options. An intelligent traffic management system ensures smooth urban movement, while commuters benefit from fully integrated electronic payment systems. All public transport vehicles are fully adapted for people with mobility disabilities, ensuring accessibility for all. Traffic-related fatalities remain low at 0.24 per 10,000 residents, thanks to stringent safety measures and efficient urban planning. Real-time public transport data and journey planning tools further enhance the commuter experience.
Sustainability is at the core of Singapore’s urban policies. The city is a pioneer in biodiversity protection and renewable energy adoption. With 100% of the population served by sewage treatment facilities, Singapore upholds high environmental standards. Waste management remains a challenge, with 1.27 tons of waste produced per resident annually, yet recycling efforts continue to improve, currently reaching a rate of 35%. The city is abundant in green spaces, boasting 0.62 parks per square kilometre, further cementing its reputation as a garden city.
Singapore’s economy is an engine of global commerce and entrepreneurship. With 101.67 businesses per 1,000 residents and an equal number of new businesses emerging each year, the city thrives on innovation and market agility. The unemployment rate remains exceptionally low at 2%, reflecting its robust job market.