The annual ranking, published by the Institute for Quality of Life, evaluated 251 cities using 64 indicators across six categories: citizens, governance, environment, economy, health and mobility. The assessment measures the conditions that contribute to residents' well-being rather than relying solely on self-reported happiness.

Copenhagen secured first place with 6,954 points, followed by Helsinki, Geneva, Uppsala and Tokyo. Trondheim, Bern, Malmö, Munich and Aarhus completed the top ten.

European cities accounted for the overwhelming majority of the highest-ranked destinations, reflecting the region's strong performance in public services, healthcare, environmental quality and urban mobility. The Nordic region alone contributed six cities to the global top ten: Copenhagen, Helsinki, Uppsala, Trondheim, Malmö and Aarhus.

While several European and Asian cities performed strongly, several North American cities ranked near the bottom of the index.

According to the 2026 rankings, Guadalajara in Mexico placed last among the cities highlighted in the graphic, followed by Nashville, Dallas, Bucharest, Indianapolis, Tucson, Aguascalientes, Chicago, Kuching and Rabat. Five of the ten lowest-ranked cities were located in the United States .

The report suggests that lower scores in these cities were often linked to challenges such as car dependency, urban sprawl, limited public transport usage, environmental concerns and governance issues.

Dallas and Nashville were among the lowest-ranked American cities in the index, while San Francisco remained the only U.S. city to place within the global top 50.

The Happy City Index evaluates urban areas across six broad dimensions designed to capture everyday quality of life.

The Citizens category measures education , social inclusion, housing affordability and cultural opportunities. Governance examines transparency, digital public services and civic participation. The environment focuses on air quality, waste management, sanitation, and green mobility.

The economy assesses prosperity, employment opportunities and business activity. Health evaluates healthcare access, safety, well-being, green spaces and work-life balance. Mobility measures public transportation, connectivity and road safety.

Researchers analysed approximately 150,000 data points gathered by hundreds of contributors worldwide before compiling the final rankings.

Despite these, the are employees in various parts of the who give out their all at the workplace in terms of work hours.

According to data provided by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), there are some 5 countries in the world that work the most hours annually.

Here is the list:

Mexico

Topping the list is Mexico, where the average worker clocks in an impressive 2,207 hours per year. This high number reflects the country's labour dynamics, which often involve a six-day workweek.

Costa Rica

Following closely is Costa Rica, with an average of 2,171 hours worked annually. Known for its "Pura Vida" lifestyle, Costa Rica's high working hours might come as a surprise. However, the country frequently ranks high on the World Economic Forum’s Happy Planet Index, indicating a unique blend of hard work and overall well-being.

Chile

In third place is Chile, where the average annual hours worked is 1,953. Chile's economy is one of the most stable in Latin America, and its workforce is known for its dedication and productivity.

Greece

Greece which is the fourth place has an annual work hours of 1897. Like the rest of the countries on the list, Greece has a stable workforce which drives its innovation and development.

Israel

Rounding out the top five is Israel, with an average of 1,880 hours worked per year. Israel's workforce is known for its high productivity and innovation, contributing to the country's strong economic performance.