Mumbai has officially been ranked the fifth happiest city in the world, according to the Time Out Index 2025, marking a proud moment for India’s financial capital.
Mumbai emerged as the only Indian city on the list’s top ten, outshining several global metropolises like Dubai, Beijing, Chicago and Melbourne.
The survey noted that above 95 per cent of Mumbaikars agreed that their city makes them happy, while over 90 per cent said they find joy in its daily rhythm, whether through local festivals, art, or simply the warmth of community life.
The global survey gathered responses from over 18,000 people across major cities to assess quality of life, food, culture, nightlife, affordability, walkability and happiness among others.The rankings, derived from residents’ perceptions of quality of life, community spirit, and personal fulfilment, reveal how happiness can flourish across diverse cities and cultures.
Their happiness metric was based on the percentage of positive responses to five statements: 1. My city makes me happy; 2. I feel happier in my city than other places I’ve visited or lived; 3. The people in my city seem happy; 4. I find joy in the everyday experiences my city offers; 5. The sense of happiness in my city has grown a lot recently.
Here are top 20 happiest cities in the world in 2025:
1. Abu Dhabi, UAE
2. Medellín, Colombia
3. Cape Town, South Africa
4. Mexico City, Mexico
5. Mumbai, India
6. Beijing, China
7. Shanghai, China
8. Chicago, US
9. Seville, Spain
10. Melbourne, Australia
11. Brighton, UK
12. Porto, Portugal
13. Sydney, Australia
14. Chiang Mai, Thailand
15. Marrakech, Morocco
16. Dubai, UAE
17. Hanoi, Vietnam
18. Jakarta, Indonesia
19. Valencia, Spain
20. Glasgow, UK