Cities Barometer 2025: Quality of Life Remains High, Child-Friendliness in Focus
In the long term, the satisfaction of residents in cities has decreased due to recent crises, but according to the current survey, it remains stable.
The Cities Barometer is a representative survey among residents of the member municipalities of the Austrian Association of Cities, conducted every two years. The study addresses questions about the quality of life in Austrian cities and satisfaction with the services offered by the cities. For the current Cities Barometer, 1,076 people were surveyed by phone and online from the end of February to the end of March 2025.
Cities Barometer: High Quality of Life Despite Crises
A comparison with the most recent surveys by the Association of Cities shows that despite the previous crisis resilience of the cities, the perceived quality of life has significantly decreased due to price increases and multiple crises since 2020, but has since stabilized and remained unchanged since 2023. This year, 80 percent of respondents rated the quality of life in their community as very or quite high. In 2023, this figure fell to 79 percent.
While the view at the national level remains marked by skepticism - only 22 percent believe that Austria is developing positively overall, while 51 percent expect a deterioration - there are also signs this year that the future development of cities and municipalities is seen more optimistically: Regarding their community, as in 2023, 32 percent of respondents feel that things are moving in the right direction.
Social Differences
Regarding this year's focus topic "City for Children," the survey shows that seven out of ten city residents (71 percent) perceive their community as very or quite child-friendly overall. However, significant social differences become apparent here. In households with low income, the perception of child-friendliness is significantly lower, according to Christoph Hofinger from Foresight. "This means that for less affluent families, it is of enormous importance how much the interests of children are considered in the design of cities by the public authorities."
A central result of the Cities Barometer 2025 is the demand for genuine participation of children and young people. Those who experience co-determination early develop a strong sense of responsibility for their own community and society, according to the study. "Child-friendly cities are cities of the future. They not only invest in today's quality of life but also secure social cohesion and innovative strength for tomorrow," says Weninger.
(APA/Red)
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