Time to focus on what makes a happy city
While 165 might not seem impressive at first glance, it's worth noting Perth is in good company. Nine Australian cities made the top 200, including all five state capitals. Adelaide was the top-performing Australian city, coming in at number 29 thanks to high scores across the environment, governance and citizen wellbeing categories.
The Happy City Index measures 82 indicators across six core themes – citizens, governance, environment, economy, health and mobility. These categories offer valuable insight into what contributes to a liveable, thriving urban environment.
Perth's result serves as a timely reminder of both our city's strengths and areas where we can do better, particularly as we adjust to newly elected Western Australian Labor Party and Australian Labor Party governments at state and federal levels respectively.
The index highlights that Perth performs well in areas such as citizens, governance and health – a reassuring sign that many aspects of quality of life here remain strong.
However, it also identifies serious opportunities for improvement in the categories of environment, economy and mobility. These areas should be a priority for policymakers, planners and the broader community over the coming years.
Our relatively low ranking in economic indicators might surprise some, especially given WA's strong performance throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing strength of our resources sector. However, the Happy City Index appears to reflect concerns around a lack of economic diversification, limited innovation and the increasing cost of living – all of which can impact how people experience life in the city.
The State Government's continued efforts to diversify the economy are, therefore, well placed and must be accelerated if we want to climb the happiness rankings. The data also underscores the need to invest in more efficient and connected public transport networks, and to continue strengthening our city's environmental sustainability credentials.
Ultimately, the Happy City Index is not just about global rankings – it's about identifying the levers we can pull to improve quality of life for Perth residents now and into the future. By acknowledging where we stand and where we want to be, we can shape a more vibrant, inclusive and prosperous city for everyone who calls Perth home.
I, for one, wouldn't want to live anywhere else.
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