City Profile: Vancouver
General Overview
Education & Innovation
Governance & Transparency
Health & Well-being
Mobility & Transport
Environment & Sustainability
Economy & Business
General Overview
- Country: Canada
- Population of the city: 662248
- Area of the city measured in square kilometres (km²): 114
- Budget of the city in 2024 (GBP): 1 250 000 000 GBP
- Percentage of population of the country living in the city: 1.70%
- GDP PER PERSON: 37743
- REAL GDB - GROWTH: 1.6
- Percentage of all employed individuals in public administration: 21.60%
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: 26.00%
- Percentage of population of the city with a master's degree: 23.10%
- Percentage of the population who knew at least one foreign language: 69.50%
- Percentage of population with digital skills: 82.00%
- Patent granted per 10,000 residents: 6.47
Governance & Transparency
- Voter turnout in the last local elections (%): 36.30%
- Percentage of the city’s budget allocated to projects run by NGOs: 1.82%
- 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: 191
- 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: 9
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): 84.4
- Obesity rate: 30.00%
- Average number of working hours: 40
- Percentage of the adult population receiving support and coordinated mental health care: 18.00%
- The number of suicide attempts per 1,000 residents: 0.1
Mobility & Transport
- Green Mobility Share (%): 53.00%
- 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
- 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: 0.23
- 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): 0.42
- Average PM10 value in the city: 16
- Existence of biodiversity protection strategy in the city: yes
- Amount of waste produced per resident (tons): 0.02
- Recycling rate: 80.00%
- Number of parks per square kilometre: 2.19
- 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: 120.78
- Unemployment rate: 7.00%
- Number of foreign affiliates per 10,000 residents: 3.8
- Percentage deviation in earnings relative to the national average: 4.00%
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:
919
Vancouver, a city renowned for its breathtaking natural surroundings and forward-thinking urban policies, is one of Canada’s most dynamic and diverse metropolises. Home to 662,248 residents and spanning 114 square kilometres, it is a city that balances economic vitality with environmental stewardship. Representing 1.7% of the national population, Vancouver thrives with a GDP per capita of 37,743 GBP and a steady real GDP growth rate of 1.6%. With a 2024 budget of 1.25 billion GBP, the city continues to invest in public services, sustainable infrastructure, and urban innovation.
Education and innovation are key pillars of Vancouver’s success. Home to universities ranked among the top 50 globally, the city fosters a strong academic and research-driven culture. A highly educated population, with 23.1% holding a master’s degree, contributes to its knowledge-based economy. Vancouver is a global city, with 69.5% of its residents speaking at least one foreign language and 82% possessing digital skills. The city supports technological innovation, granting 6.47 patents per 10,000 residents, reinforcing its position as a hub for creativity and entrepreneurship.
Governance and transparency are integral to Vancouver’s administration. While voter turnout in the last local elections stood at 36.3%, the city remains committed to open governance. With an extensive open data platform offering access to 191 datasets, residents benefit from transparency and digital accessibility. A notable 1.82% of the city’s budget is allocated to projects run by NGOs, reflecting its commitment to community-driven initiatives. Digital services, including fault reporting, electronic payments, and online appointment scheduling, streamline administrative processes, ensuring efficient service delivery.
Health and well-being are central to Vancouver’s high quality of life. The city provides universal medical insurance and has a life expectancy of 84.4 years, one of the highest globally. Despite an obesity rate of 30%, Vancouver promotes active living through its extensive network of parks and green spaces. Mental health services are available, with 18% of the adult population receiving coordinated care. Public safety remains a priority, with a low suicide attempt rate of 0.1 per 1,000 residents and minimal recorded incidents of violence in public places.
Vancouver’s mobility and transport infrastructure prioritizes sustainability and accessibility. With a green mobility share of 53%, the city is steadily transitioning to eco-friendly transportation. An intelligent traffic management system optimizes urban mobility, while commuters benefit from seamless digital payment integration, including mobile apps, transport cards, and credit or debit card transactions. All public transport vehicles are fully adapted for people with mobility disabilities, ensuring inclusivity. Road safety remains a focus, with traffic-related fatalities recorded at 0.23 per 10,000 residents.
Sustainability is deeply embedded in Vancouver’s urban strategy. The city actively promotes renewable energy and biodiversity protection. With an electricity efficiency rate of 0.42 per GDP and an average PM10 pollution level of 16, Vancouver enjoys excellent air quality. Waste management is a strength, with the city maintaining an 80% recycling rate, one of the highest globally. Green spaces are abundant, with 2.19 parks per square kilometre, reinforcing Vancouver’s reputation as one of the most livable cities in the world.
Vancouver’s economy is diverse and resilient, driven by a mix of traditional industries and emerging sectors. The city is home to 120.78 businesses per 1,000 residents, highlighting its entrepreneurial spirit. Despite an unemployment rate of 7%, Vancouver remains an attractive destination for professionals, with earnings exceeding the national average by 4%. The city also fosters global connectivity, strengthening its position as a center for international business and investment.
Education and innovation are key pillars of Vancouver’s success. Home to universities ranked among the top 50 globally, the city fosters a strong academic and research-driven culture. A highly educated population, with 23.1% holding a master’s degree, contributes to its knowledge-based economy. Vancouver is a global city, with 69.5% of its residents speaking at least one foreign language and 82% possessing digital skills. The city supports technological innovation, granting 6.47 patents per 10,000 residents, reinforcing its position as a hub for creativity and entrepreneurship.
Governance and transparency are integral to Vancouver’s administration. While voter turnout in the last local elections stood at 36.3%, the city remains committed to open governance. With an extensive open data platform offering access to 191 datasets, residents benefit from transparency and digital accessibility. A notable 1.82% of the city’s budget is allocated to projects run by NGOs, reflecting its commitment to community-driven initiatives. Digital services, including fault reporting, electronic payments, and online appointment scheduling, streamline administrative processes, ensuring efficient service delivery.
Health and well-being are central to Vancouver’s high quality of life. The city provides universal medical insurance and has a life expectancy of 84.4 years, one of the highest globally. Despite an obesity rate of 30%, Vancouver promotes active living through its extensive network of parks and green spaces. Mental health services are available, with 18% of the adult population receiving coordinated care. Public safety remains a priority, with a low suicide attempt rate of 0.1 per 1,000 residents and minimal recorded incidents of violence in public places.
Vancouver’s mobility and transport infrastructure prioritizes sustainability and accessibility. With a green mobility share of 53%, the city is steadily transitioning to eco-friendly transportation. An intelligent traffic management system optimizes urban mobility, while commuters benefit from seamless digital payment integration, including mobile apps, transport cards, and credit or debit card transactions. All public transport vehicles are fully adapted for people with mobility disabilities, ensuring inclusivity. Road safety remains a focus, with traffic-related fatalities recorded at 0.23 per 10,000 residents.
Sustainability is deeply embedded in Vancouver’s urban strategy. The city actively promotes renewable energy and biodiversity protection. With an electricity efficiency rate of 0.42 per GDP and an average PM10 pollution level of 16, Vancouver enjoys excellent air quality. Waste management is a strength, with the city maintaining an 80% recycling rate, one of the highest globally. Green spaces are abundant, with 2.19 parks per square kilometre, reinforcing Vancouver’s reputation as one of the most livable cities in the world.
Vancouver’s economy is diverse and resilient, driven by a mix of traditional industries and emerging sectors. The city is home to 120.78 businesses per 1,000 residents, highlighting its entrepreneurial spirit. Despite an unemployment rate of 7%, Vancouver remains an attractive destination for professionals, with earnings exceeding the national average by 4%. The city also fosters global connectivity, strengthening its position as a center for international business and investment.