As the new school year begins, it's a perfect time to reflect on global quality of life. Just weeks ago, the Economist Intelligence Unit released its annual livability rankings. In a similar vein, tech company ZipJet published its analysis of the world's most relaxed and stressful cities. ZipJet assessed urban 'mental health' by examining key stress factors: unemployment, per capita debt, traffic congestion, public transport quality, safety, pollution, population density, and even sunshine hours. The top honor for the most zen city goes to Stuttgart, Germany—a destination worth considering for your next wellness escape.
France scores too: Bordeaux lands a strong 6th place, trailing Munich (5th) and Bern, Switzerland's capital (4th). The top three are rounded out by Luxembourg City (2nd) and Hanover, Germany (3rd)—a dominant performance by German cities. Positions 7 through 10 go to Edinburgh, Sydney, Hamburg (Germany), and Graz, Austria. The most stressful cities, by contrast, cluster in regions with tough living conditions: Baghdad, Iraq (#1), Kabul, Afghanistan (#2), and Lagos, Nigeria (#3), followed by Dakar (Senegal), Cairo (Egypt), Tehran (Iran), Dhaka (Bangladesh), Karachi (Pakistan), New Delhi (India), and Manila (Philippines). Celebrate Bordeaux's success and the serene vibes of Stuttgart!
