The cities with the best work-life balance in 2023

In due time from the end of the pandemic, companies worldwide have now adapted to new operational patterns, from smartworking to the hybrid version, allowing workers greater flexibility. Like never before, employees and entrepreneurs this year have paid attention to mental and physical health in relation to their work, a theme that, as various studies demonstrate, concretely influences a company's performance. As every year, Forbes Advisor has compiled a ranking of the best work-life balance cities of 2023, evaluating 128 major cities on a scale of 1 to 100. As explained by the publication, factors considered include the World Happiness Index, the Gender Inequality Index, average working hours, parental leave terms, the percentage of remote job offers, hours of sunlight, unemployment rate, the average rent-to-wage ratio, the ratio of parks to residents, and the annual amount of legally granted holidays.

Based on the above factors, Forbes Advisor has determined that Copenhagen is the best city for work-life balance. With a score of 70.5, the Danish capital demonstrates special attention to the quality of life of its workers. From the abundance of green spaces available in the city to the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, there are numerous reasons that make Copenhagen the best city in the world to work. In second place is Helsinki in Finland, with a score of 65.1. Progressive social policies of the state, offering fair parental leave and ample annual holidays, contribute to raising this city's score. Helsinki ranks first on the World Happiness Index. Closing out the top three is Stockholm, just one point behind its neighboring Scandinavian city. With a thriving economy and a high standard of living for its residents, the Swedish capital has many factors in its favor. It offers numerous museums, theaters, and spaces for live music, which can be visited during the extensive time off that corporate leaders grant to their employees. Here, 46% of workers operate in a hybrid or fully remote mode. No Italian city is among the top 25 in the ranking.