City Profile: Taipei
General Overview
Education & Innovation
Governance & Transparency
Health & Well-being
Mobility & Transport
Environment & Sustainability
Economy & Business
General Overview
- Taiwan Region
- Population of the city: 2490869
- Area of the city measured in square kilometres (km²): 271
- Budget of the city in 2024 (GBP): 4 599 477 352 GBP
- Percentage of population of the country living in the city: 10.70%
- GDP PER PERSON: 63755
- REAL GDB - GROWTH: 2.1
- Percentage of all employed individuals in public administration: 5.80%
Education & Innovation
- The highest ranking position of university in global educational indexes: 401-450
- The percentage of income that should be allocated to cover the cost of studies: 14.40%
- Percentage of population of the city with a master's degree: 9.80%
- Percentage of the population who knew at least one foreign language: 28.60%
- Percentage of population with digital skills: 94.00%
- Patent granted per 10,000 residents: 20.92
Governance & Transparency
- Voter turnout in the last local elections (%): 67.78%
- Percentage of the city’s budget allocated to projects run by NGOs: 0.09%
- Number of residents (per 1000) involved in local governance structures: 0.02
- 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: 19952
- 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: 3
Health & Well-being
- Percentage of population with medical insurance: 100.00%
- Number of doctors per 1,000 residents: 1.8
- Life Expectancy Rate (at birth): 83.65
- Obesity rate: 50.00%
- Average number of working hours: 40.7
- Percentage of the adult population receiving support and coordinated mental health care: 13.80%
- The number of suicide attempts per 1,000 residents: 0.17
- Number of recorded incidents of violence in public places per 1000 residents: 1.71
Mobility & Transport
- Green Mobility Share (%): 60.00%
- 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: 0.14
- 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: 83.24
- 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): 0.19
- Average PM10 value in the city: 30
- Existence of biodiversity protection strategy in the city: yes
- Amount of waste produced per resident (tons): 0.04
- Percentage of the population that is served by sewage treatment facilities: 88.00%
- Recycling rate: 67.00%
- Number of parks per square kilometre: 0.81
- 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: 72.48
- Number of new businesses per 1,000 residents: 1.69
- Unemployment rate: 3.00%
- Number of foreign affiliates per 10,000 residents: 0.9
- Percentage deviation in earnings relative to the national average: 34.00%
- Percentage of employed people with disabilities: 22.00%
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.
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Rank:
GOLD
Points:
933
Taipei is a city that seamlessly blends tradition with cutting-edge technology. Home to nearly 2.5 million residents and spanning 271 square kilometres, Taipei is the economic, political, and cultural epicenter of Taiwan. Representing 10.7% of the country's population, the city thrives on a strong economy, boasting a GDP per capita of 63,755 GBP and a steady economic growth rate of 2.1%. With a 2024 city budget of 4.6 billion GBP, Taipei continues to invest in infrastructure, technological advancements, and social well-being.
Education and innovation are at the heart of Taipei’s development. While its highest-ranked university falls within the 401-450 range globally, the city maintains a strong academic foundation, with 9.8% of the population holding a master’s degree. With a highly skilled workforce, 94% of Taipei’s residents possess digital proficiency, ensuring the city remains a leader in technological advancements. Taipei is also an innovation hub, granting 20.92 patents per 10,000 residents, reinforcing its role as a center for research and development. However, the cost of studies requires 14.4% of an individual’s income, making affordability a challenge for some residents.
Governance and transparency are fundamental to Taipei’s urban management. Voter turnout in the last local elections stood at 67.78%, reflecting strong civic engagement. The city actively promotes open governance, with an extensive open data platform providing access to 19,952 datasets for public use. Digital services, including fault reporting, electronic payments, and online appointment scheduling, streamline administrative processes. While only 0.02 residents per 1,000 are directly involved in local governance structures, the city maintains an active dialogue with citizens through technology-driven initiatives and policy engagement.
Health and well-being are key priorities for Taipei. The city provides universal medical insurance and has a life expectancy of 83.65 years. Despite an obesity rate of 50%, Taipei continues to focus on public health initiatives. Mental health services are available, with 13.8% of adults receiving coordinated care. Public safety remains high, with only 1.71 recorded incidents of violence per 1,000 residents and a low suicide attempt rate of 0.17 per 1,000 residents, reflecting the city's commitment to social well-being and mental health support.
Taipei’s mobility and transport infrastructure is one of the most advanced in Asia. With a green mobility share of 60%, the city prioritizes sustainable transport solutions. An intelligent traffic management system enhances efficiency, while public transport users benefit from seamless digital payment integration, including mobile apps, transport cards, and debit or credit card transactions. Accessibility remains a focus, with 83.24% of public transport vehicles adapted for people with mobility disabilities. Taipei also provides real-time public transport data and journey planning tools, making commuting efficient and convenient for residents and visitors alike.
Taipei’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its environmental policies. The city actively promotes renewable energy solutions and biodiversity protection. With 88% of the population served by sewage treatment facilities, Taipei maintains high environmental standards. The city has a strong recycling culture, with a 67% recycling rate, while waste production remains low at 0.04 tons per resident annually. However, air quality remains a challenge, with an average PM10 pollution level of 30, highlighting the need for continued environmental initiatives.
Taipei’s economy thrives on entrepreneurship and technological innovation. The city hosts 72.48 businesses per 1,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic commercial landscape. Despite a relatively low number of new businesses (1.69 per 1,000 residents), the unemployment rate remains low at 3%. With a 34% earnings deviation above the national average, Taipei remains an attractive destination for professionals. The city is also committed to inclusivity, with 22% of employed individuals having disabilities, ensuring equal opportunities in the workforce.
Education and innovation are at the heart of Taipei’s development. While its highest-ranked university falls within the 401-450 range globally, the city maintains a strong academic foundation, with 9.8% of the population holding a master’s degree. With a highly skilled workforce, 94% of Taipei’s residents possess digital proficiency, ensuring the city remains a leader in technological advancements. Taipei is also an innovation hub, granting 20.92 patents per 10,000 residents, reinforcing its role as a center for research and development. However, the cost of studies requires 14.4% of an individual’s income, making affordability a challenge for some residents.
Governance and transparency are fundamental to Taipei’s urban management. Voter turnout in the last local elections stood at 67.78%, reflecting strong civic engagement. The city actively promotes open governance, with an extensive open data platform providing access to 19,952 datasets for public use. Digital services, including fault reporting, electronic payments, and online appointment scheduling, streamline administrative processes. While only 0.02 residents per 1,000 are directly involved in local governance structures, the city maintains an active dialogue with citizens through technology-driven initiatives and policy engagement.
Health and well-being are key priorities for Taipei. The city provides universal medical insurance and has a life expectancy of 83.65 years. Despite an obesity rate of 50%, Taipei continues to focus on public health initiatives. Mental health services are available, with 13.8% of adults receiving coordinated care. Public safety remains high, with only 1.71 recorded incidents of violence per 1,000 residents and a low suicide attempt rate of 0.17 per 1,000 residents, reflecting the city's commitment to social well-being and mental health support.
Taipei’s mobility and transport infrastructure is one of the most advanced in Asia. With a green mobility share of 60%, the city prioritizes sustainable transport solutions. An intelligent traffic management system enhances efficiency, while public transport users benefit from seamless digital payment integration, including mobile apps, transport cards, and debit or credit card transactions. Accessibility remains a focus, with 83.24% of public transport vehicles adapted for people with mobility disabilities. Taipei also provides real-time public transport data and journey planning tools, making commuting efficient and convenient for residents and visitors alike.
Taipei’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its environmental policies. The city actively promotes renewable energy solutions and biodiversity protection. With 88% of the population served by sewage treatment facilities, Taipei maintains high environmental standards. The city has a strong recycling culture, with a 67% recycling rate, while waste production remains low at 0.04 tons per resident annually. However, air quality remains a challenge, with an average PM10 pollution level of 30, highlighting the need for continued environmental initiatives.
Taipei’s economy thrives on entrepreneurship and technological innovation. The city hosts 72.48 businesses per 1,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic commercial landscape. Despite a relatively low number of new businesses (1.69 per 1,000 residents), the unemployment rate remains low at 3%. With a 34% earnings deviation above the national average, Taipei remains an attractive destination for professionals. The city is also committed to inclusivity, with 22% of employed individuals having disabilities, ensuring equal opportunities in the workforce.