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CNBC
29-05-2025
- Health
- CNBC
This is the happiest city in the world, new data shows—it's not in the U.S.
In May, the Institute for the Quality of Life released its 2025 Happy City Index. The 200 cities in the report were separated into three groups: gold, silver, and bronze, with gold meaning those cities scored the highest across all metrics combined. To rank the world's happiest cities, researchers tracked 82 indicators of happiness across six major categories: 2025 is the first year the index included health as a category. It's something that Dr. Bartosz Bartoszewicz, Director and Co-creator of the Index, tells CNBC Make It was an important addition because of the covid-19 pandemic. "We've added health, and we didn't know what the results were going to be, and what was surprising is that most of the cities that were gold cities in the past remain," Dr. Bartoszewicz says. "It shows they are still developing in a sustainable way and that is great because it's not only about mobility or governance. It's about the whole structure of the city." The United States didn't have any cities rank in the top 10, but did have two get the "gold city" distinction: New York City at No. 17 and Minneapolis at No. 30. 18 U.S. cities were ranked and make up almost 10% off the entire index, which Dr. Bartoszewicz is still a good result. Copenhagen, Denmark, ranked No. 1 on the Happy City Index with a total score of 1,039. "What is amazing about Copenhagen? First of all, its ability to be open for innovation. Its educational system is of very good quality and it's affordable," Dr. Bartoszewicz says. Dr. Bartoszewicz adds that despite Copenhagen being ranked No. 1, it still has its issues, like housing. Apartment prices have doubled in the past 10 years, according to Boligsidens Markedsindeks, a Danish housing market portal. "Every city has its challenges but Copenhagen does a good job of not only confirming they have a problem but they are even listing them and telling people to join them in coming up with how to solve these problems," Dr. Bartoszewicz says. "Living in Copenhagen is still a challenge so even though it's first, they still have a lot of problems to solve." Denmark frequently ranks as one of the happiest countries in the world, so it's no surprise that its capital city took the top spot on this list. In 2024, the country the No. 2 happiest in the world, according to the World Happiness Report. Denmark is also the career opportunities, and work-life balance, according to a 2024 Expat Insider survey from InterNations, the online global community for people who've moved abroad. In Denmark, residents pay some of the world's highest taxes— up to half of their income — it is balanced out by the fact that most healthcare in the country is free, childcare is subsidized, university students pay no tuition and receive grants to help cover expenses while studying. For the second year in a row, Switzerland's largest city, Zurich, ranked No. 2 in the index with a score of 993. The city is a global financial hub that is renowned for its economic strength and high quality of life, according to the report. It scored highly in the categories of citizens and governance. "In Zurich, people have access to the best quality of education and a really strong economy. If you live in Zurich, your average income is much higher than the rest of the country. You're earning almost double what other cities in Switzerland do," Dr. Bartoszewicz says. Zurich is divided into 12 districts and was named the world's smartest city in 2024 for its innovative integration of new technologies. The Economist Intelligence Unit ranked it the third most liveable city in 2024. The city is often referred to as the "City of Banks" due to its global financial reputation. It is also one of the most expensive places to live in the world. ,
Local Germany
19-05-2025
- General
- Local Germany
'No curiosity from locals': Is Munich really an unfriendly city for foreigners?
As The Local recently reported, the latest 'Expat City Ranking' by InterNations found that several major German cities were ranked as the least welcoming cities for foreigners to move and live in. Out of 53 cities worldwide, Munich ranked dead last, effectively making it the 'unfriendliest' city in the world for foreign residents, according to the survey which was based on responses from 12,500 expats. Germany overall has earned a reputation for being a difficult place to get adjusted, with incoming foreign residents often citing the language barrier and cold or closed-off locals among the bigger barriers to settling into a fulfilling social life in the country. But opinions differ on which German cities are more or less welcoming than the others. Given Munich's new and unflattering title, we thought it'd be worth checking in on how unfriendly it really is - so we asked readers of The Local for their thoughts on life in the Bavaria capital in a survey of our own. Most readers don't agree that Munich is so unfriendly Asked if they agree that Munich is an unfriendly city toward foreigners and newcomers, a little over 60 percent of respondents said they disagree, whereas a little under 30 percent agreed that Munich is unfriendly, and around ten percent of respondents said they weren't sure. For what it's worth, that result largely aligns with reactions to a Facebook post about The Local's survey, where the majority of commenters wrote that Munich was actually friendly – and a couple refuted that Berlin was actually Germany's least friendly city. Almost every respondent to our survey said they thought that Munich was a good place to live as a foreigner. Just two respondents didn't think so, with one writing that it was 'not the best,' and the other saying, 'absolutely not.' Hundreds of sun-seekers populate the large meadow in the English Garden below the Monopteros in Munich. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Peter Kneffel 'More collegial than California' Overall, The Local readers who live (or have lived) in Munich suggest that the city is actually quite welcoming. A few respondents even went as far as saying that people there are more friendly than those in other German – or even other international – cities. 'The people are direct, but not unfriendly,' said Jeff, a 62-year-old American who lives in the city's Maxvorstadt district. 'I've lived in both Berlin and Munich and I generally feel that people are more welcoming in Munich.' Adi, a 35-year-old Munich resident of more than six years, goes a step further: 'I find the vibe much more collegial here than where I was before [in California]'. He said it 'boggles' him where Munich's bad reputation comes from, adding that his neighbours being helpful and community oriented has helped him feel at home. READ ALSO: 'Beautiful city, unfriendly people' - How foreigners feel about living in Hamburg Advertisement Language issues and an expat bubble Of course not every foreign resident in Munich finds the city to be welcoming and friendly, especially not immediately from the start. Among those who said they agree that Munich is unfriendly, many respondents highlighted not knowing German as being a major issue. 'They treat anyone whose German is less than perfect with disdain,' noted Lisa, 50, from the US and living in the city's Obermenzing district. Similarly, some noted that simply not being German could be an obstacle to feeling integrated. Ms. Roberta, from the UK who has been living in Munich for more than eleven years, said that the city can feel friendly to foreigners thanks largely to its large expat community. 'However, it is virtually impossible to break through the 'expat bubble' and integrate into the local German communities, unless you are dating or married to a German,' she said. Another respondent, who didn't give her name but noted that she was from India and lived in Munich, said, 'There is no curiosity from the locals about non-white cultures, so they make no effort to meet and even sometimes actively avoid non-Germans.' READ ALSO: 'World's largest village' - How foreigners in Germany feel about Munich Guests raise their beer mugs at the Giesinger Brewery's strong beer tasting in Munich. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Peter Kneffel Most readers would recommend moving to Munich Asked if they would recommend moving to Munich, most respondents to our survey said they would, but many added caveats. The general consensus was that Munich offers a high quality of life but that the cost of living can be a bit expensive. For example, Hans Averdung from Mexico City said he would recommend moving to Munich 'if you can afford it.' (The InterNations survey also saw the city rank toward the bottom for personal finance.) Advertisement Another reader noted that living expenses here 'are higher than other places in Germany', but they also praised the city for being walkable/bikeable and offering a good quality of life. Indeed, another recent survey actually ranked Munich as the most 'pedestrian-friendly' city in the world. Francisco, 46, from Argentina, says his recommendation would depend on your age and social needs. In his opinion Munich is a great city 'if you are over 35, professional, family-oriented and love nature.' Larry Schulz, 78 from the US, who has been living in Munich since 1985 – 'and loving it!' – thinks Munich and Vienna are the two best non-English speaking cities in Europe. He recommends Munich for its parks, historical and cultural attractions, extensive international community and also its "vibrant innovation ecosystem". READ ALSO" Munich, Vienna or Salzburg: Which is the best airport to fly from? Advertisement Taken altogether, out survey seems to suggest that most foreigners who live in Munich think it's a pretty good place to live, and don't find it particularly unfriendly. That said, foreigners may struggle with the language barrier and with culture shocks -- like being confronted by German directness -- when they first arrive. Fortunately, a vibrant community of foreigners, world-famous breweries and beer festivals, and breath-taking nature around the city are all there to help get you through the sometime rocky transition to life in Germany.
Local Germany
13-05-2025
- Local Germany
TELL US: Is Munich really the 'unfriendliest' city in Germany?
Last week we reported the results of an InterNations survey, which suggested that Munich was the least friendly city for foreigners -- out of all 53 international cities that were included -- effectively calling it the 'unfriendliest' city in the world. But Germany's third largest metropolis is also known for its cleanliness and safety, and generally offering a high quality of life. The Monocle Survey in 2024 named Munich the most livable city globally, and the Mercer Quality of Life Survey has consistently ranked Munich as being among the top cities for quality of life (it was 11th in 2024). So, we thought it'd be worth taking a minute to evaluate how fair it is to call Munich the "unfriendliest city". Is the city really full of grumps, or is it rather that the local attitude takes some getting used to? If you live in Munich - or have lived there in the past - we'd love to hear your thoughts for a future article. Is Munich truly so devastatingly unwelcoming? Does its reported high quality of life apply to its foreign residents, or are internationals better off looking elsewhere? Advertisement Please let us know by filling in the survey below. If the survey doesn't load, click here instead.
Local Germany
09-05-2025
- Local Germany
Five German cities ranked among the 'unfriendliest in the world'
From world-class companies to a high quality of life, Germany has a lot to offer foreigners - but when it comes to that local warmth and friendliness, there seems to be a lot left to be desired. In the latest Expat City Ranking 2024 by InterNations, five major German cities have won an unenviable accolade, being ranked among the world's 10 least welcoming cities. According to the survey's international respondents, the Bavarian capital of Munich should be crowned the least friendly city in the world, followed by three other German cities that make up the top four. The ranking, based on responses from more than 12,000 people living abroad worldwide, evaluates how easy it is to settle into life abroad. One of the key measures is the "Ease of Settling In Index", which includes indicators such as local friendliness, feeling at home, and how easy it is to build a social life. Unfortunately for Germany's metropoles, they scored particularly poorly across the board. Munich: No Bavarian hospitality for newcomers Despite its stunning scenery and the beer-guzzling antics of Oktoberfest , Munich stands out in the rankings as the least friendly city for foreigners, landing in 53rd place. The Bavarian capital received the lowest marks for local friendliness, with nearly half of respondents rating locals as unfriendly. Many of the respondents also reported problems in building an active social life: 65 percent said they found it hard to make friends, and only 37 percent said they were satisfied with their current social circle. In a survey of Munich residents conducted by The Local a few years ago, readers also described locals in the Bavarian capital as a little too cool and reserved. Visitors to the Luitpold Hill in Munich enjoy the view of the Frauenkirche and the snow-covered Alps in the distance. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Peter Kneffel "It is too expensive and boring and its inhabitants are quite unfriendly," said reader Meli, while other readers alternately described the locals as "closed-off", "conservative" and "rude". READ ALSO: 'World's largest village' - How foreigners in Germany feel about Munich These views were echoed in the InterNations survey. 'It's difficult to form genuine connections with locals,' reported one Italian living in the city. Others noted that the famed Bavarian Gemütlichkeit (cosiness or warmth) seems reserved for long-time residents, rather than new arrivals. Hamburg: Cold weather and even colder people The northern port city of Hamburg fared only slightly better than Munich, landing in 52nd place out of 53. While a vibrant cultural scene and walkable city centre can be attractive to international newcomers, it seems many are disappointment by the welcome they receive. According to the InterNations survey, just 42 percent of foreigners found locals friendly - well below the global average of 63 percent. Even more concerning, almost half (44 percent) said they didn't feel at home in the city, with many struggling to settle in. This impression was backed up by a recent survey carried out by The Local , in which readers praised Hamburg's top-class infrastructure and attractions, but lamented the unfriendliness of the locals. Advertisement 'It is hard to enter social circles and make friends with locals," explained 43-year-old Dannis, who grew up in Hamburg but later moved away. "Almost everyone stays within their established closed social circles." READ ALSO: 'Beautiful city, unfriendly people' - How foreigners feel about living in Hamburg Similar perspectives were espoused in the InterNations report. 'The locals are cold and not very welcoming toward foreigners,' said one Hamburg resident from Spain. In the category of 'feeling welcome,' Hamburg ranked last worldwide. Berlin: Social isolation in the midst of a hip city Contrary to its reputation as a liberal, diverse, and international city, the German capital ranked 51st in the InterNations when it came to the ease of settling in. In particular, respondents to the InterNations survey were put off by the gruff exterior of the locals, describing Berliners as "unfriendly and hard to approach". Though in Germany the famed Berliner Schnauze (Berlin snout) is associated with a gritty humour as opposed to straight-up rudeness, it seems these cultural quirks can be difficult to translate. People walk on Berlin's Tempelhofer Feld. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Sebastian Gollnow In fact, the city came bottom of the rankings for 'friendliness of locals', landing in a depressing 53rd place. Despite its buzzing party scene, foreigners saw Luft nach Oben (room for improvement) when it came to Berlin's social offering as well: 64 percent reported difficulties in making friends, while many lacked a sense of feeling at home. 'Berlin may be exciting, but you're mostly on your own socially,' one respondent said. READ ALSO: Why is Berlin a lonely city for many foreign residents? Frankfurt: Thriving economy and a lacklustre social life Hesse's financial capital was also presented in an unflattering light when it came to local friendliness, landing in 50th place out of 53. Though Frankfurt is one of Germany's most international cities, it seems to present few opportunities to integrate fully with the locals. In the InterNations survey, foreigners cited difficulty adapting to the local culture and forming friendships as two of the biggest issues they faced. Just 38 percent said they felt at home, and most described their social networks as dominated by fellow expats. Advertisement 'People here are polite but distant," said one British respondent. "It's hard to go beyond small talk." Despite the high salaries and job opportunities, many said they felt isolated outside of work. Cologne: No Carnival spirit for most of the year A surprising addition to the rankings this year was the Rhineland city of Cologne, which is often seen as a laid-back, fun-loving and open place to live. Though its colourful carnival celebrations see visitors flocking to the city from far and wide, the daily reality for foreigners seems to tell a different story. According to the survey, Cologne struggles with welcoming newcomers, scoring near the bottom for cultural openness and friendliness. In the Ease of Settling in, it achieved a lacklustre 48th place, making it the 6th least friendly city in the world according to foreigners. Advertisement Despite its reputation for Rheinische Fröhheit - a jolly and chatty temperament among Rhineland natives - 41 percent of expats said they found it difficult to make local friends, and many described their social lives as sub-par. One Canadian respondent summed up the situation: 'It's friendly during Carnival," they said. "But the rest of the year, it's harder to connect." READ ALSO: What to do, see and eat on a budget-friendly break in Cologne
Arab News
29-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Arab cities rank among top 10 friendliest in the world for expats
LONDON: The Emirati city of Ras Al-Khaimah and Oman's capital Muscat have been ranked among the top 10 friendliest destinations in the world for expats. The Ease of Settling In Index 2024 by InterNations, which describes itself as 'the largest global expat network' with 5.6 million members, includes 53 cities and comprises three subcategories: culture and welcome, local friendliness and finding friends. Ras Al-Khaimah ranked fifth overall while Muscat ranked 10th, closely followed by the Emirati city of Dubai (11th), the Saudi capital Riyadh (12th), the UAE capital Abu Dhabi (14th) and Qatar's capital Doha (15th). Ras Al-Khaimah and Muscat 'perform well across the index but stand out especially for how easy expats find it to get used to the local culture … as well as for the general friendliness of the population,' according to the index. InterNations described Riyadh as one of 'the biggest winners in 2024,' jumping 10 places from the 2023 rankings and improving 'across all factors of the index.' Riyadh's biggest gains were in the culture and welcome subcategory, rising from 30th in 2023 to 14th last year.
