Cardiff scores highly in new report of European cities' quality of life

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Cardiff has scored highly in a major new EU survey assessing the quality of life in major European cities – and been declared the best of all for families with young children.

The survey, by the European Commission, is the result of extensive polling of at least 839 residents in each of 83 cities in 36 countries – on issues including safety, jobs, transport infrastructure, culture, health, and quality of local administration.

Since the last survey, carried out in 2019, overall levels of satisfaction across most European cities have declined as events like the Covid-19 pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine have taken their toll.

Yet, the survey showed that between 91 and 93% of people in Cardiff agreed that they were satisfied living in the city - higher than most other UK cities in the survey – and far higher than most major European capitals.

In two categories, Cardiff outperformed all 83 cities, including all of Europe’s principal capitals:

1. A good place for families with young children to live
2. A good place for immigrants to live

It was also placed in the top 10 in three other categories:

• A good place for LGBTIQ people to live (5^th)
• Satisfaction with green spaces (9^th)
• Satisfaction with noise level (10th)

Huw Thomas, Leader of Cardiff Council, said:

"It's good to see Cardiff score so highly in several areas of this report. Cardiff is a great city to live in and I welcome these independent findings which back that up.

"As a council, we have worked hard to earn Cardiff its status as the first UK city to be given UNICEF Child-Friendly status and, of course, we have a long tradition of tolerance and welcoming immigrants to the city."

The report shows that Cardiff is both the best city for families with young children and immigrants to live in Europe - Credit: Pixabay

In other categories the Welsh capital outscored other UK cities, including satisfaction with cultural facilities, satisfaction with public spaces, air quality, cleanliness, and the time it takes to get a request solved by the council.

However, it performed less well in perception of its transport infrastructure, with one of the highest levels of car use in Europe and the lowest level of public transport use, and walking, in the UK.

Councillor Thomas added:

"We also recognise – as the report points out – that more people are using cars here than in many other cities across Europe. We know this causes air pollution and congestion which is why we are building cycle lanes and improving walking routes, while also looking at new ways of funding improved public transport options.

"We all know that public transport options across the city need to improve if we are to encourage people out of their cars. We have never hidden from that, but we will need to find a way of funding what is required, and we will need open and honest conversations with residents and our neighbours on how we do that."

In order to read the full report, visit HERE.

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