In November 2025, the Time Out, the United Kingdom(UK-based media and lifestyle organization has recently published the City Life Index 2025, which ranks the happiest cities across Asia. According to the 2025 Index, Mumbai(India) topped Asia’s happiness chart, with 94% of residents saying the city makes them happy.
- Beijing and Shanghai in China ranked second and third, with 93% and 92% of residents reporting being happy.
Exam Hints:
- What? City Life Index 2025 released
- Released by? Time Out
- Top in Asia: Mumbai, Beijing, Shanghai
- Top in World: Abu Dhabi, Medellin, Cape Town
- Lower-ranked Asian cities: Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo
About City Life Index 2025:
Survey: Around 18,000 people participated in the survey to rate their hometowns across several key aspects, from culture, nightlife and food to affordability and overall quality of life.
Happiest City: Mumbai takes the first place to be the happiest city in Asia in 2025.The city also scored highest on several indicators:
- 89% feel happier in Mumbai than anywhere else.
- 88% say people in the city seem cheerful.
- 87% believe happiness in Mumbai has grown recently.
Chiang Mai and Hanoi: Chiang Mai in Thailand and Hanoi in Vietnam rank in the top 4 and 5, each with 88% of residents saying their city makes them happy. Both cities are praised for their green spaces, slow pace of life and close-knit community, perfect for those who want peace and connection.
Lower Rank: Seoul (South Korea), Singapore, and Tokyo (Japan) ranked lower on the happiness list.
- Only 70% of Tokyo residents reported being happy in their city, a figure that may be attributed to long working hours and the fast-paced nature of urban life.
Top 5 cities in Asia:
| Rank | City | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mumbai | India |
| 2 | Beijing | China |
| 3 | Shanghai | China |
| 4 | Chiang Mai | Thailand |
| 5 | Hanoi | Vietnam |
Happiest City in the world:
Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) ranked the world’s happiest city in 2025, with:
- 99% of locals agreeing that their city makes them happy,
- 96% stating that city seems positive,
- 93% feel happier in this city than anywhere else
Other Ranks: The 2nd place was occupied by Medellin in Colombia, followed by Cape Town in South Africa (SA).
Top 5 cities in World:
| Rank | City | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abu Dhabi | UAE |
| 2 | Medellin | Colombia |
| 3 | Cape Town | South Africa |
| 4 | Mexico City | Mexico |
| 5 | Mumbai | India |
About Time Out Group
Time Out Group is a leading global media and hospitality business that inspires and enables people to experience the best of the city.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- Chris Ohlund
Headquarters – London, the United Kingdom(UK)
Established – 1968
