Recently, health has been at the forefront of our lives more than usual. And that includes physical and mental health. A large portion of your health is affected by where you live. So, if you’re contemplating a change in the future, you may be interested in this list of the healthiest cities in the world. To decide this ranking, Lenstore researchers analyzed 44 global cities across 10 metrics:
- Outdoor activities
- Happiness levels (country-wide)
- Annual average hours worked
- Number of take-out places
- Pollution index score
- Life expectancy (country-wide)
- Obesity levels (country-wide)
- The average cost of a bottle of water
- The average cost of a gym membership
- Sunshine hours
So, low and behold, the healthiest and happiest cities in the world:
10. Vancouver, Canada
Lenstore researchers say: “Vancouver is famous for offering every kind of outdoor sport and adventure, pioneering health and fitness. It also has an average life expectancy of 81.7 years, a relatively low pollution score (24/100) and happy residents (7/10).” Not too bad, eh?
9. Barcelona, Spain
Lenstore researchers say: “Barcelona takes the top spot for the number of outdoor activities with over 580 — which is great when paired with its 2,591 sunshine hours.” Why would you ever want to go inside in such a beautiful country anyways?
8. Berlin, Germany
Lenstore researchers say: “Berlin’s average life expectancy is 80.6 years, which may be supported by its relatively cheap average monthly gym membership at £26.11 – third cheapest in Europe. Germany’s capital also has lots of opportunity to get out in the fresh air with the fifth highest number of outdoor activities in Europe at 254 and the ninth lowest pollution levels in Europe.” Sounds like a good place to get active.
7. Fukuoka, Japan
Lenstore researchers say: “Located in the northern shore of Japan’s Kyushu Island, Fukuoka’s ability to lead a healthy lifestyle shouldn’t go overlooked. With a bottle of water costing just £0.78, it’s easy to ensure you’re drinking the recommended 2 litres a day even on the move. The city also has the highest life expectancy at 83.2 years of all 44 locations.” Go there if you’re looking to drink a lot of water and live ~forever~.
6. Helsinki, Finland
Lenstore researchers say: “Ranking as the happiest city, Helsinki has the lowest pollution score of all cities at 13.08/100. It also features in the top 10 when looking at just the lowest number of yearly working hours.” Hmmm…. It’s the happiest city and is in the top 10 of the lowest number of yearly working hours. Coincidence? I think not.
5. Copenhagen, Denmark
Lenstore researchers say: “Copenhagen is known as one of the happiest cities in the world (ranking second, beaten only by Helsinki in our research). If you’re looking for the ultimate work-life balance, Copenhagen has the lowest working hours per year of all cities at 1,380 (28.75 hours per week). However living in Copenhagen doesn’t come cheap. It ranks in third position for the highest cost of a bottle of water at £2.19, outweighing both New York (£1.32) and London (£1.16).” Again, not a coincidence that it’s once of the happiest cities and has such low working hours.
4. Stockholm, Sweden
Lenstore researchers say: “Stockholm offers more opportunity for a better work-life balance, ranking in 4th position for total number of hours worked per year, at 1,452 hours (30.25 hours per week). Taking into consideration other metrics such as its low level of pollution (20/100) and general happiness throughout the city (7/10), Stockholm ranks in 4th position overall.” Certainly seems like a lovely place to be if you’re looking for *pure* happiness.
3. Vienna, Austria
Lenstore researchers say: “Vienna not only lets you soak up culture from artwork, music and architecture, but it also offers the opportunity to lead a healthy lifestyle. With an average gym membership costing around £26 per month (nearly half the cost than in Sydney), and the fifth lowest levels of obesity in Europe at 20.1%, the Austrian capital is the perfect destination to lead a healthier life.” No wonder we always see so many fitness people on social media from Austria.
2. Sydney, Australia
Lenstore researchers say: Sydney experiences 2,636 hours of sunshine per year… giving you more htan enough time to take advantage of the 406 outdoor activities. This outweighs the relatively high monthly gym membership cost of £42 and with a life expectancy of 82 years, perhaps outdoor fitness is the way to go.” Who would want to workout inside anyways when you can spend time doing cool stuff like surfing or whatever else those crazy Aussies do? They’re clearly doing something correct, amiright mate?
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
Lenstore researchers say: “With over 400 outdoor activities to keep you fit and healthy, and ranking as the 5th happiest country in the world, as well as the 6th best country in Europe for obesity levels at just 20.4% (nearly 10% less compared to London at 27.8%), living in this picturesque city is the top destination for leading a healthy lifestyle.” Well then it’s settled. If you ever really start obsessing over your health, you should pack up your bags and move to Amsterdam. It seems like a happy, healthy, and pretty place to live. So why not?
Honestly, these places seem really gorgeous, have spectacular work-life balances, and awesome outdoor life. No wonder they’re the top ten healthiest and happiest cities to live in the world.
