A general view of the skyline in Mumbai, India, May 5, 2025. Photo by Reuters
India’s Mumbai has been voted the happiest city in Asia, with a remarkable 94% of locals saying their city brings them joy, according to a survey by the British magazine Time Out.
To compile the list, the magazine surveyed more than 18,000 city residents, gathering their opinions on culture, nightlife, food, and quality of life.
They also rated their city based on these five statements: “My city makes me happy; I feel happier in my city than other places I’ve visited or lived; The people in my city seem happy; I find joy in the everyday experiences my city offers; The sense of happiness in my city has grown a lot recently.”
Mumbai is famous for being the financial and entertainment capital of India, known as the “City of Dreams”.
It’s the center of the Hindi film industry, Bollywood, and a hub for major financial institutions like the Reserve Bank of India and the Bombay Stock Exchange.
The city is also known for its stunning Victorian and Art Deco architecture, iconic landmarks like the Gateway of India, bustling beaches, vibrant nightlife, and its UNESCO world heritage sites.
China’s Beijing ranked second with 93% of locals saying their city makes them happy, followed by financial hub Shanghai.
Chiang Mai in Thailand and Hanoi in Vietnam stand at fourth and fifth places.
The rest of the top 10 were Indonesia’s Jakarta, Hong Kong, Thailand’s Bangkok, Singapore and South Korea’s Seoul.
