“A city is what it is because its citizens are what they are.” (PLATO)

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YOKOHAMA (rank 18) - Japan

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.
Read the published methodology →

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Source: Institute for Quality of Life, Happy City Index 2026.

Happy City Index 2026 · City profile

Yokohama against the Index average

Results for all 64 indicators, grouped into six themes: citizens, governance, environment, economy, health and mobility.

Total score6526
CategoryGold
Above the average27/51
Policies in place13/13

Results by theme

Share of indicators in each theme where Yokohama scores above the average or has the policy in place.

Citizens50%Governance59%Environment71%Economy50%Health67%Mobility88%50%

All 64 indicators at a glance

One square per indicator, ordered by theme. Hover for details.

27 above average13 policies in place21 below average3 neutral
5of 10
Citizens
10of 17
Governance
5of 7
Environment
5of 10
Economy
8of 12
Health
7of 8
Mobility

01Selected results

HealthAdults classified as overweight or obese
25%
Index average: 52%
HealthParks per km²
6.2
Index average: 1.1
CitizensHomeless people per 10,000 residents
0.73
Index average: 5.27
GovernanceShare of income spent on rent
10%
Index average: 32%
CitizensResidents 65+ receiving municipal home care
15.7%
Index average: 10.5%
HealthIntentional homicides per 100,000 residents
2.4
Index average: 20.6
EconomyYouth unemployment rate
4.6%
Index average: 12.4%
MobilityRoad traffic accidents per 1,000 residents
2.0
Index average: 8.1
EnvironmentWaste generated per resident
0.31
Index average: 0.51
YokohamaIndex average

02Largest differences from the average

Ahead of the average

  • Parks per km²
    5.7× avg6.17 vs 1.09
  • GDP Growth (%)
    5.0× avg0.10% vs 0.02%
  • Percentage Deviation in Earnings Relative to the National Average
    2.1× avg89% vs 43.01%
  • Intentional Homicides per 100,000 Residents
    88% lower2.39 vs 20.62
  • Homeless People per 10,000 Residents
    86% lower0.73 vs 5.27
  • Distance to the Nearest International Airport
    77% lower5 vs 21.44
  • Road Traffic Accidents per 1,000 Residents
    76% lower1.99 vs 8.13
  • Presence of a Globally Ranked Higher Education Institution
    69% lower85 vs 276.16

Behind the average

  • Cost of Higher Education Compared to Average Annual Salary
    86× avg6% vs 0.07%
  • Green Space per Capita
    −94%4.59 vs 72.57
  • Businesses per 1,000 Residents
    −78%30.88 vs 138.18
  • Libraries per 10 km²
    −65%0.41 vs 1.16
  • Cultural Institutions per 100,000 Residents
    −61%3.2 vs 8.15
  • Public Transport Ridership per Capita
    −54%89.02 vs 193.80
  • Net Internal Migration Rate per 1,000 Population
    −53%1.70 vs 3.58
  • Recycling Rate (%)
    −48%22.9% vs 44.29%
  • Licensed Medical Doctors Practising in the City (FTE)
    −42%2.98 vs 5.18

03All indicators

YokohamaOverall averageAbove averageBelow average

Citizens

5 above avg.4 below avg.10 indicators
Urban Innovation Ecosystem Potential
YOK86.33
AVG86.02
Above average
School Density
YOK0.79
AVG0.71
Above average
Higher Education Accessibility
In place
Presence of a Globally Ranked Higher Education Institution
YOK85
AVG276.16
Above average
Cost of Higher Education Compared to Average Annual Salary
YOK6%
AVG0.07%
Below average
Residents with a Master's Degree (%)
YOK11.6%
AVG12.40%
Below average
Population Able to Communicate in a Foreign Language (%)
YOK28.0%
AVG34.14%
Below average
Use of Electronic Banking Services (%)
YOK74%
AVG79.27%
Below average
Population Aged 65+ Benefiting from Municipal Home Care (%)
YOK15.7%
AVG10.51%
Above average
Homeless People per 10,000 Residents
YOK0.73
AVG5.27
Above average

Governance

10 above avg.5 below avg.17 indicators
Availability of City Website
YOK4
AVG2.11
Above average
Net Internal Migration Rate per 1,000 Population
YOK1.70
AVG3.58
Below average
Pupils per School Building
YOK707.25
AVG380.04
Above average
Employment in Creative Industries (%)
YOK4.3%
AVG4.62%
Below average
Housing Affordability Ratio
YOK3.32
AVG5.12
Above average
Housing Affordability Ratio (Rent)
YOK10%
AVG32.32%
Above average
Cultural Institutions per 100,000 Residents
YOK3.2
AVG8.15
Below average
Libraries per 10 km²
YOK0.41
AVG1.16
Below average
Voter Turnout in the Last Local Elections (%)
YOK42.83%
AVG49.79%
Below 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
YOK5
AVG4.5
Above average
AI Awareness in City Strategies
In place

Environment

5 above avg.2 below avg.7 indicators
Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration
YOK8.01
AVG11.86
Above average
Green Mobility Share (%)
YOK39.7%
AVG45.25%
Below average
Waste Generated per Resident
YOK0.31
AVG0.51
Above average
Population Served by Sewage Treatment Facilities (%)
YOK99.9%
AVG95.46%
Above average
Recycling Rate (%)
YOK22.9%
AVG44.29%
Below average
Landfill Waste Burden
YOK0.239
AVG0.28
Above average
Biodiversity Protection Strategy
In place

Economy

5 above avg.5 below avg.10 indicators
GDP per Capita
YOK24,433 GBP
AVG36,208 GBP
Below average
GDP Growth (%)
YOK0.10%
AVG0.02%
Above average
Patents per 100,000 Inhabitants
YOK138.29
AVG178.84
Below average
Businesses per 1,000 Residents
YOK30.88
AVG138.18
Below average
City Fiscal Power Index
YOK24.26%
AVG25.56%
Below average
Annual Average Unemployment Rate
YOK2.8%
AVG5.58%
Above average
Annual Average Youth Unemployment Rate
YOK4.63%
AVG12.44%
Above average
Youth Unemployment Ratio
YOK1.7
AVG2.46
Above average
Percentage Deviation in Earnings Relative to the National Average
YOK89%
AVG43.01%
Above average
Paid Parental Leave Weeks at 50% or More of Salary
YOK14
AVG24.21
Below average

Health

8 above avg.4 below avg.12 indicators
Psychiatrists per 100,000 Inhabitants
YOK12.50
AVG16.38
Below average
Mental Health or Well-Being Strategy
In place
Strategy to Prevent and Address Hate Speech or Cyberbullying
In place
Licensed Medical Doctors Practising in the City (FTE)
YOK2.98
AVG5.18
Below average
Population Covered by Medical Insurance (%)
YOK100%
AVG97.69%
Above average
Intentional Homicides per 100,000 Residents
YOK2.39
AVG20.62
Above average
Adults Classified as Overweight or Obese (%)
YOK25.4%
AVG52.29%
Above average
Parks per km²
YOK6.17
AVG1.09
Above average
Green Space per Capita
YOK4.59
AVG72.57
Below average
Average Weekly Working Hours
YOK40
AVG40.52
Above average
Average Number of Paid Vacation Days
YOK17.6
AVG21.51
Below average
Life Expectancy at Birth
YOK84.52
AVG81.26
Above average

Mobility

7 above avg.1 below avg.8 indicators
Accessibility of Electronic Payment Systems in Transport
YOK3
AVG2.51
Above average
Distance to the Nearest International Airport
YOK5
AVG21.44
Above average
Access Modes to the Nearest Airport
YOK4.00
AVG3.17
Above average
Public Transport Ridership per Capita
YOK89.02
AVG193.80
Below average
Accessible Public Transport Fleet (%)
YOK99%
AVG91.18%
Above average
Road Traffic Accidents per 1,000 Residents
YOK1.99
AVG8.13
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.

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