"Glücksatlas": Erfurt and Augsburg Lead, Rostock Trails

Erfurt, the capital of Thuringia, has been named the happiest city in Germany for people under 40. The "Glücksatlas" study, a collaboration between the University of Freiburg and the Süddeutsche Klassenlotterie (SKL), placed Erfurt at the top of its ranking for major German cities.

The study surveyed 23,286 individuals aged 16 to 84 across Germany's 40 largest cities. Erfurt achieved a happiness index score of 7.74 out of 10, significantly outperforming Rostock, which ranked last with a score of 5.8. Augsburg and Düsseldorf followed Erfurt in the rankings.

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The rents are low, the environmental quality is high, and the economic situation is even slightly above average compared to other cities.

Researchers highlighted Erfurt's favorable living conditions, including low rental costs, high environmental quality, and a stable economic standing relative to other urban centers. The study noted that Erfurt serves as a prime example of a tranquil East German city offering a high quality of life.

However, the "Glücksatlas" also revealed a general trend of lower life satisfaction in East German cities compared to their Western counterparts. Residents in the East tend to be older, live alone more frequently, and have lower homeownership rates. Additionally, unemployment remains higher, and disposable income is lower in the East. Despite this, Erfurt stands out as an exception, demonstrating that high life satisfaction is achievable in East German urban environments.

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The rents are low, the environmental quality is high, and the economic situation is even slightly above average compared to other cities.