Healthy Lifestyle Cities Report 2021

Healthy Lifestyle Cities Report 2021

According to a study by YouGov, almost half of Brits stated improving fitness (47%), losing weight (44%) and improving diet (41%) were among their most important New Year’s resolutions for 2020. It’s no surprise that millions of people worldwide enter each New Year with the hope of taking better care of themselves, whether that’s signing up to the gym or eating healthier.

However, fitness and diet are not the only measurements of healthiness - although they do play a big part. Sometimes it’s about our surrounding environment, as well as lifestyle choices.

The team at Lenstore has analysed 44 cities across the globe to uncover where it’s easier to lead a well-rounded, healthy lifestyle. From obesity levels to pollution rates, each city has been scored across 10 healthy living metrics. One question remains, do you live in the best city for healthy living?

1. Amsterdam

Amsterdam

Amsterdam ranks as the number one location for leading a healthy lifestyle across all 44 cities. Known as one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world, it’s perhaps no surprise the Dutch capital comes out on top. With over 400 outdoor activities to keep you fit and healthy, and ranking as the 5th happiest country in the world, as well as the 6th best country in Europe for obesity levels at just 20.4% (nearly 10% less compared to London at 27.8%), living in this picturesque city is the top destination for leading a healthy lifestyle.

  • Sunshine hours

    1,858

  • Annual avg hours worked

    1,434

  • Happiness levels

    7.44

  • Outdoor activities

    422

2. Sydney

Sydney

Sydney experiences 2,636 hours of sunshine hours per year, attracting tourists to the famous Bondi beach, but also giving you more than enough time to take advantage of the 406 outdoor activities. This outweighs the relatively high monthly gym membership cost of £42 and with a life expectancy of 82 years, perhaps outdoor fitness is the way to go.

  • Sunshine hours

    2,636

  • Annual avg hours worked

    1,712

  • Happiness levels

    7.22

  • Outdoor activities

    406

3. Vienna

Vienna

Well known for its cultural impact, Vienna not only lets you soak up culture from artwork, music and architecture, but it also offers the opportunity to lead a healthy lifestyle. With an average gym membership costing around £26 per month (nearly half the cost than in Sydney), and the fifth lowest levels of obesity in Europe at 20.1%, the Austrian capital is the perfect destination to lead a healthier life.

Vienna’s pollution level is also one of the lowest of all cities analysed at 17.33 (out of 100), which is over four times lower than the likes of Beijing with a pollution score of 85.43 (out of 100) and three times lower than Barcelona, Paris and London.

  • Sunshine hours

    1,884

  • Annual avg hours worked

    1,501

  • Happiness levels

    7.29

  • Outdoor activities

    132

4. Stockholm

Stockholm

When looking at the metric for the total number of hours worked per year, Stockholm ranks in 4th position at 1,452 hours (30.25 hours per week), offering more opportunity for a better work-life balance. Taking into consideration other metrics such as its low level of pollution (20/100) and general happiness throughout the city (7/10), Stockholm ranks in 4th position overall.

  • Sunshine hours

    1,821

  • Annual avg hours worked

    1,452

  • Happiness levels

    7.35

  • Outdoor activities

    129

5. Copenhagen

Copenhagen

Known as one of the happiest cities in the world (ranking second, beaten only by Helsinki in our research), Copenhagen rounds off our top five healthiest places to live in the world.

If you’re looking for the ultimate work-life balance, Copenhagen is the destination for you. It has the lowest working hours per year of all cities at 1,380 (28.75 hours per week). And for those that want to breathe in fresh air, the Danish capital ranks as the city with the fifth cleanest air, with a pollution score of 21.24 (out of 100).

However living in Copenhagen doesn't come cheap. It ranks in third position for the highest cost of a bottle of water at £2.19, outweighing both New York (£1.32) and London (£1.16).

  • Sunshine hours

    1,630

  • Annual avg hours worked

    1,380

  • Happiness levels

    7.64

  • Outdoor activities

    154

6. Helsinki

Helsinki

Ranking as the happiest city, Helsinki has the lowest pollution score of all cities at 13.08/100. It also features in the top 10 when looking at just the lowest number of yearly working hours. With the happiest citizens, clean air and a healthy work-life balance, Helsinki’s number six position is well deserved.

  • Sunshine hours

    1,662

  • Annual avg hours worked

    1,540

  • Happiness levels

    7.80

  • Outdoor activities

    113

7. Fukuoka

Fukuoka

Located in the northern shore of Japan’s Kyushu Island, Fukuoka is probably best known for its food, but its ability to lead a healthy lifestyle shouldn’t go overlooked. With a bottle of water costing just £0.78, it’s easy to ensure you’re drinking the recommended 2 litres a day even on the move. The city also has the highest life expectancy at 83.2 years of all 44 locations.

  • Sunshine hours

    2,769

  • Annual avg hours worked

    1,644

  • Happiness levels

    5.87

  • Outdoor activities

    35

8. Berlin

Berlin

Another city steeped in culture, Berlin’s average life expectancy is 80.6 years, which may be supported by its relatively cheap average monthly gym membership at £26.11 - third cheapest in Europe. Germany’s capital also has lots of opportunity to get out in the fresh air with the fifth highest number of outdoor activities in Europe at 254 and the ninth lowest pollution levels in Europe.

  • Sunshine hours

    1,626

  • Annual avg hours worked

    1,386

  • Happiness levels

    7.07

  • Outdoor activities

    254

9. Barcelona

Barcelona

Whilst Barcelona is one of Europe’s most visited cities, it’s also in the top 10 for healthy living. Barcelona takes the top spot for the number of outdoor activities with over 580 – which is great when paired with its 2,591 sunshine hours.

  • Sunshine hours

    2,591

  • Annual avg hours worked

    1,686

  • Happiness levels

    6.40

  • Outdoor activities

    585

10. Vancouver

Vancouver

Vancouver is famous for offering every kind of outdoor sport and adventure, pioneering health and fitness. With an average life expectancy of 81.7 years, a relatively low pollution score (24/100) and happy residents (7/10), Vancouver rounds off our top 10 locations for living a healthy lifestyle.

  • Sunshine hours

    1,938

  • Annual avg hours worked

    1,670

  • Happiness levels

    7.23

  • Outdoor activities

    218

Healthy Lifestyle Report - Full Index

City

Rank

Sunshine hours(City)

Cost of a bottle of water(City)

Obesity levels(Country)

Life expectancy(years) (Country)

Pollution(Index score) (City)

Annual avg. hours worked

Happiness levels(Country)

Outdoor activities(City)

Number of take out places(City)

Cost of a monthly gym membership(City)

Amsterdam

1

1,858

£1.92

20.40%

81.20

30.93

1,434

7.44

422

1,048

£34.90

Sydney

2

2,636

£1.48

29.00%

82.10

26.86

1,712

7.22

406

1,103

£41.66

Vienna

3

1,884

£1.94

20.10%

81.00

17.33

1,501

7.29

132

1,008

£25.74

Stockholm

4

1,821

£1.72

20.60%

81.80

19.63

1,452

7.35

129

598

£37.31

Copenhagen

5

1,630

£2.19

19.70%

79.80

21.24

1,380

7.64

154

523

£32.53

Helsinki

6

1,662

£1.60

22.20%

80.40

13.08

1,540

7.80

113

309

£35.23

Fukuoka

7

2,769

£0.78

4.30%

83.20

-

1,644

5.87

35

539

£55.87

Berlin

8

1,626

£1.55

22.30%

80.60

39.41

1,386

7.07

254

1,729

£26.11

Barcelona

9

2,591

£1.19

23.80%

82.20

65.19

1,686

6.40

585

2,344

£37.80

Vancouver

10

1,938

£1.08

29.40%

81.70

24.26

1,670

7.23

218

788

£31.04

Melbourne

11

2,363

£1.57

29.00%

82.10

25.90

1,712

7.22

243

813

£36.89

Beijing

12

2,671

£0.26

6.20%

75.40

85.43

-

5.12

223

261

£38.62

Bangkok

13

2,624

£0.22

10.00%

74.10

76.64

-

5.99

377

1,796

£50.03

Buenos Aires

14

2,525

£0.57

28.30%

75.90

52.64

-

5.97

246

1,435

£22.45

Toronto

15

2,066

£1.09

29.40%

81.70

37.83

1,670

7.23

174

1,656

£32.64

Madrid

16

2,769

£1.30

23.80%

82.20

52.68

1,686

6.40

216

2,491

£34.54

Jakarta

17

2,983

£0.21

6.90%

68.50

84.39

-

5.28

114

833

£29.94

Seoul

18

2,066

£0.59

4.70%

81.30

57.82

1,967

5.87

144

389

£43.03

Frankfurt

19

1,662

£1.95

22.30%

80.60

37.78

1,386

7.07

23

551

£39.01

Geneva

20

-

£2.62

19.50%

82.60

27.25

1,557

7.56

44

444

£70.00

Tel Aviv

21

3,311

£1.63

26.10%

81.90

47.28

1,898

7.12

139

420

£58.31

Istanbul

22

2,218

£0.15

32.10%

74.70

69.49

1,832

5.13

419

934

£16.97

Cairo

23

3,542

£0.16

32.00%

70.70

91.74

-

4.15

323

250

£23.25

Taipei

24

1,405

£0.57

6.20%

75.40

49.32

-

5.12

134

717

£34.76

Los Angeles

25

3,254

£1.52

36.20%

78.80

66.07

1,779

6.94

223

1,439

£32.00

Mumbai

26

2,584

£0.15

3.90%

67.30

82.84

-

3.57

187

1,183

£19.54

Boston

27

2,634

£1.39

36.20%

78.80

27.03

1,779

6.94

88

588

£46.27

Dublin

28

1,453

£1.40

25.30%

80.50

40.07

1,772

7.09

159

659

£37.35

Tokyo

29

1,877

£0.76

4.30%

83.20

42.84

1,644

5.87

387

5,802

£70.82

Chicago

30

2,508

£1.20

36.20%

78.80

43.33

1,779

6.94

171

1,320

£41.14

Hong Kong

31

1,836

£0.75

6.20%

75.40

67.46

-

5.51

277

1,257

£57.95

Shanghai

32

1,776

£0.29

6.20%

75.40

77.40

-

5.12

108

346

£44.68

Brussels

33

1,546

£2.11

22.10%

80.40

62.67

1,583

6.86

55

988

£25.34

San Francisco

34

3,062

£1.60

36.20%

78.80

47.36

1,779

6.94

242

1,031

£65.13

Paris

35

1,662

£1.95

21.60%

81.80

65.10

1,505

6.66

331

4,363

£35.93

Sao Paulo

36

2,003

£0.44

22.10%

73.90

79.78

-

6.37

158

3,355

£16.07

Zurich

37

1,566

£3.20

19.50%

82.60

17.31

1,557

7.56

69

538

£73.11

London

38

1,633

£1.16

27.80%

80.40

58.91

1,538

7.16

433

6,417

£42.71

Johannesburg

39

3,124

£0.59

28.30%

56.30

61.83

-

4.81

194

492

£24.28

Milan

40

1,915

£1.15

19.90%

82.70

67.19

1,718

6.38

110

2,396

£53.49

Washington, D.C.

41

2,528

£1.45

36.20%

78.80

39.18

1,779

6.94

83

744

£65.99

New York

42

2,535

£1.32

36.20%

78.80

57.36

1,779

6.94

359

3,081

£64.66

Moscow

43

1,901

£0.41

23.10%

69.50

57.63

1,965

5.54

322

3,206

£31.40

Mexico City

44

2,555

£0.45

28.90%

76.40

82.78

2,137

6.46

192

1,313

£41.99

Methodology

We collected data across 10 metrics for 44 cities around the world (please see all metrics below). Each of these metrics were awarded a weighted score and these were combined to give each city a total score out of 100. This score was then used to rank the 44 cities to determine which were best for healthy living.

Sources

The New Year’s resolutions of improving fitness, losing weight and improving your diet can all benefit your eye health as well as other areas of your body and to aid with your eye health why not browse our range of contact lenses and coloured contact lenses to find top quality lenses at amazing prices.

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Healthy Lifestyle Cities Report 2021

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