Nine out of ten people across Europe are happy with the city they are living in, according to a European Commission report published today.
In general, cities where residents expressed the highest satisfaction with their living conditions include Rostock (Germany), Braga (Portugal), Antwerp (Belgium), Copenhagen (Denmark), Groningen (the Netherlands), and Gdansk (Poland).
The report revealed that although capital cities are seen as locations that provide greater job opportunities, smaller cities are seen as more desirable places for living, especially for elders, families with young children, and migrants.
The findings of the report also highlight several key themes, including the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on citizens’ contentment in their cities and regions. It also delves into urban mobility trends, revealing that people prefer walking instead of another mode of transportation in recent years.
People feel safer walking alone at night in smaller cities, and they perceive their city as being cleaner and less noisy than people living in larger cities.
Additionally, residents of non-capital cities are more content regarding the accessibility of public spaces, healthcare services, housing, and local public administrations.
Commenting on the report, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira expressed satisfaction, noting that it is encouraging to see that the quality of life in European cities remains elevated, especially in small and medium-sized urban centres.
However, there is still work to be done, as some cities still lack opportunities, while others struggle with congestion problems. EU Cohesion Policy supports local authorities across Europe as they address these challenges, striving to enhance and improve the lives of citizens.
According to the EU Commission, the findings also affirm notable enhancements in the perceived quality of life in cities within eastern Member States.
The report underscores different topics, including city size, safety, quality of public spaces, healthcare accessibility, and housing affordability. It also covers aspects of well-being related to living in an urban area, like employment, transportation within cities, inclusivity, the environment, and general safety.
Some of the main findings from this report are similar to those in the previous report, which was published in 2020, while the interviews were conducted between June and September 2019. The 2020 Report on the Quality of Life in European Cities also revealed that nine out of ten people across Europe are happy with life in their cities of residence, while at the same time, residents felt safer in smaller cities.
