A study by the London Institute for Quality of Life ranked the happiest cities in the Balkans for 2025, including Ljubljana, Maribor, Pula, and Podgorica. Ljubljana is recognized as the greenest European capital and ranked 41st on the happiness list. Maribor ranked 104th, while Podgorica, although last on the list, is described as a peaceful and easily accessible city with urban planning challenges. Pula is the only Croatian city on the list, proud of its ancient heritage and film festival. The top positions are held by European cities such as Copenhagen, Zurich, Singapore, and Antwerp, known for quality of life, green spaces, safety, and cultural offerings.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning outlets emphasize the social and environmental aspects of happiness in cities, highlighting green spaces, public transport, and community well-being. They focus on urban planning challenges in cities like Podgorica and the importance of sustainable development and social infrastructure.
Center: Centrist sources provide a balanced overview of the rankings, presenting facts about the cities’ positions and characteristics without strong bias. They highlight cultural heritage, economic factors, and quality of life indicators such as safety and public services.
Right: Right-leaning media tend to emphasize economic prosperity, historical pride, and cultural identity of the cities. They may highlight the role of private enterprise, tourism, and traditional values in contributing to the happiness and success of these cities.
