It's official - this is the happiest city in Australia

The state capital was the only Aussie city to rank in the global list of 30 happiest cities.

Aussies are generally a pretty happy bunch. I’d put it down to our laid-back lifestyle and appreciation for the simple things – a day at the beach, a weekend footy match or simply a coffee with mates. But according to the Institute for Quality of Life, there’s one part of Australia that’s even happier than the rest.

What is the happiest city in Australia?

The annual list is determined using the Happy City Index, which ranks cities around the world based on 82 indicators across six distinct criteria. And after extensive analysis, the Institute for Quality of Life has crowned Adelaide as the happiest city in the country, and 29th in the world.

Adelaide is officially Australia’s happiest city. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

It may be unsurprising to some, considering South Australia was recently named the most welcoming region on Earth. But for those wondering how the capital scored its new title, Australian Traveller’s Managing Director Quentin Long says we’re about to see what Adelaidians have known all along.

“What is there not to love about Adelaide? It’s home to one of the most affordable five-star hotel markets in Australia. The event programming is consistent and world-class. It is accessible and easy to get around, and its cultural institutions are ready to bloom. They have great food and wine, too; every humble pub has a wine list that makes me drool,” says Long.

The city’s burgeoning foodie scene is just one of its many drawcards. (Image: Michael Waterhouse Photography)

And it’s not a city that ever rests on its laurels. Adelaide is continuously evolving its offerings, whether that be unique experiences or innovative events. Where else can you enjoy a jam-packed festival calendar all year round? Watch a game of footy from atop a stadium? Drive 30 minutes out of the CBD and be in one of the country’s best wine regions?

Long adds that Adelaide has the most growth potential compared to any other city in Australia, and it’s been a city in waiting for too long.

“I expect that the moment has come for that growth potential to be unleashed. It always takes a series of events, a moment to coalesce, to make that remarkable growth happen – and I think it’s now.”

Watch a sports game from above at Adelaide Oval. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

So why is it that the City of Churches is often underestimated? It could just be a case of needing to punch above its weight.

“Adelaide seems to fly under the radar due to its size and scale. Other Aussie cities have had both for a long time, attracting all the talent and the opportunities, but that’s changing,” says Long.

Now, you can book a flight to Adelaide any time of the year and find yourself in the thick of a world-class festival or event.

“There’s the Tour Down Under in January, followed by the LIV Golf tournament in February. There’s the Adelaide Fringe and VAILO 500 in March, Gather Round in April – the list goes on.”

How were the rankings determined?

Happiness is a subjective feeling, so to be as impartial as possible, the Happy City Index judges a city based on six main pillars: governance, environment, economy, mobility, citizens and health, with subcategories like education, safety, transport, pollution, nutrition and work-life balance.

Adelaidians have seemingly perfected the work-life balance. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

“If you look at the indicators, Adelaide ticks almost every box,” says Long. “Great cultures, education, governance, economic opportunity, transparency and a good work-life balance. It’s a place that loves to work hard and live well – Adelaidians value this lifestyle, so they work hard to maintain it, and that shows.”

Of course, change is inevitable, so cities are monitored daily, and any new data is periodically reviewed to avoid outdated results. More than 200 global destinations were examined, creating a diverse and multicultural pool. Trends are investigated, residents interviewed, and 26 different areas of each city studied.

The SA capital is deserving of its new title. (Image: joeyjoenes)

In short, a lot of research goes into the final result to reflect the most accurate picture possible. Overall, the SA capital scored 846 total points. For context, the top city got 1039 – that’s only a 193-point difference. And with 200 other cities also in the running, 29 is a pretty huge achievement.

What other cities made the list?

According to the Institute for Quality of Life, Copenhagen is officially the happiest city in the world. The Denmark capital was followed by Zurich in Switzerland and Singapore. In an incredible feat, another city in Denmark – Aarhus – took out fourth place, with Belgium’s Antwerp rounding out the top five.

Check out the full list of Happiest Cities in the World.