Living Happiest in Kassel: Findings from a Study Revealed - Research Findings: Kassel Residents Experiencing Happiest Lives
Once again, Kassel reigns supreme as the happiest city for German city-dwellers, according to the "Happiness Atlas" by the South German Class Lottery (SKL). This lively northern Hessian city secures the top spot amongst the 40 largest cities with over 200,000 inhabitants, much like it did in 2024. The runner-ups are Krefeld and Düsseldorf.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the achievement-oriented cities of Frankfurt am Main and the state capital of Wiesbaden trail behind. In the evaluation, Wiesbaden lands second-to-last, aligning with Rostock in 40th place, while Frankfurt comes in 35th.
Bernd Raffelhuschen, a researcher from the University of Freiburg and the survey's leader, attributes the high level of overall happiness in large cities to a uniform distribution of satisfaction. "If many people are very satisfied, but just as many are very dissatisfied, this has a negative impact on the overall happiness level of a city," he explains.
In respect to Frankfurt am Main and Rostock, the gap between highly satisfied and deeply unsatisfied individuals appears to be particularly wide, impacting the overall life satisfaction of these cities negatively.
For cities to rank highly in terms of life satisfaction, they must provide a family-friendly, manageable, safe, and verdant environment. Kassel, our top-ranked city, impresses with an average happiness score of 7.44 out of 10, an improvement from its 2021 score of 7.38.
Although Kassel's overall economic progress and objective welfare factors, such as infrastructure, education, culture, or healthcare, are often only slightly above average at best, the city's perceived life satisfaction is significantly higher than its objective numbers might suggest. Experts have dubbed Kassel a "typical 'overperformer'," much like other cities in the top 10.
Crucial to Kassel's happiness formula are more than half of its residents who consider themselves highly satisfied, while less than 3 percent feel deeply dissatisfied. Interestingly, research indicates that Kassel seems to offer fulfilling lives even for those with limited financial means.
The Mayor of Kassel, Sven Schoeller (Greens), shares optimism about the survey results, stating, "Kassel offers attractive living conditions, and it's Kassel's diversity that convinces." Kassel's successful blend of nature and culture, tradition and innovation, people and opportunities, coupled with an abundance of leisure activities, makes it one of Germany's greenest major cities.
Sadly, the larger the city, the lower the life satisfaction of its residents. Although Düsseldorf and Hamburg are part of the top ten, cities such as Augsburg, Aachen, and Münster surge ahead. Metropolises like Munich and Berlin, on the other hand, rank 27th and 37th, respectively.
The survey conducted by the Allensbach Institute for Demoscopy evaluated a total of 23,468 German residents aged 16 to 78 between January 2022 and April 2025. Overall, the results show a generally positive trend compared to the previous year.
Wiesbaden, despite its green landscapes, vibrant city center, and culturally rich offerings, appears to struggle with certain aspects that hinder its overall life satisfaction. Traffic congestion and the lack of a university city status have been cited as negative factors, while the city emphasizes that its investments in the future will inevitably result in construction sites and, consequently, traffic disruptions.
The Secrets of Kassel's Success:
- Cultural and Historical Significance: Kassel's rich cultural heritage, including the Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe, contributes to a sense of community and cultural identity.
- Green Spaces: Easy access to verdant parks and gardens can positively impact mental health and well-being, leading to increased life satisfaction.
- Economic Stability: While specific economic data is not mentioned, economically stable conditions often enhance overall satisfaction.
- Social and Community Engagement: Strong social networks and community involvement are essential for enhancing life satisfaction.
- Education and Healthcare: Access to quality education and healthcare services is crucial for overall well-being. While particular information is not provided, Kassel University and the city's healthcare facilities may play a role in supporting residents' health and happiness.
- The steady improvement in Kassel's average happiness score, despite only slightly above-average economic progress and objective welfare factors, suggests that a strong sense of community and cultural identity, as well as ample green spaces, may contribute significantly to its residents' perceived life satisfaction.
- In contrast to Kassel's life satisfaction, cities like Frankfurt am Main and Wiesbaden, which trail behind in the happiness rankings, appear to struggle with a wide gap between highly satisfied and deeply unsatisfied individuals, implying that a more manageable and family-friendly environment, along with fewer traffic issues and a university city status, may be important factors in fostering city dwellers' contentment.
- The lively northern Hessian city of Kassel, with its successful blend of nature and culture, tradition, and innovation, creates leisure activities that cater to various lifestyles, from fashion-and-beauty enthusiasts to pet owners, food-and-drink connoisseurs, and travelers, ensuring that it appeals to a broad spectrum of residents.
- As for the housing market, one might consider examining employment policies in Kassel that aim to strike a balance between affordable housing, employment opportunities, and a pleasant living environment, as such policies could potentially help alleviate financial pressures for city residents and thus enhance their overall life satisfaction.
- Engaging in leisure activities such as shopping, cars, home-and-garden projects, or relationships can also be crucial in enriching residents' quality of life, and Kassel, with its abundant opportunities in these areas, provides a more well-rounded and fulfilling lifestyle that helps elevate its position as Germany's happiest city.
