Iceland's Capital Had the Lowest Stress Levels in 2021

According to the 2021 Least and Most Stressful Cities Index, Reykjavik in Iceland is the least stressful city in the world. This coastal city received a final score of 100 out of a possible 100 points. The higher the score, the lower the stress level in the city.

Reykjavik's score is supported, in part, by its gender equality, which received a score of 100. The city also scored 98.8 points for the safety and security of its residents. Furthermore, Reykjavik's social and political conditions received a score of 97.8 points.

The assessment also considered Reykjavik's population density, which is only 480 inhabitants per square kilometer. Access to healthcare is also guaranteed, reflected in a score of 96.3 points.

Besides Iceland, several European cities have low stress levels. Bern, Switzerland, for example, has a final score of 96.6 points. Meanwhile, Helsinki, Finland, has a final score of 95 points.

The 2021 Least and Most Stressful Cities Index report analyzed 100 cities worldwide across four categories: governance, city, finance, and public health. These four categories were further divided into 16 factors, ranging from governance and social pressure to the impact of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.