Nanjing, Hangzhou, Changsha, Hefei, Zhoushan, Wuhu, Suzhou, Ningbo, Dalian, and Zhuhai have been ranked as the top ten cities with the highest happiness index in China for 2023.
Among them, Hefei has achieved rapid economic growth by seizing opportunities in emerging industries and is recognized as the first provincial capital with the “China Climate Livable City” certification.
Wuhu, the second-largest city in Anhui, boasts an optimized industrial structure with a focus on high-end manufacturing. Its GDP in 2022 ranked second only to Hefei, with a relatively small urban-rural income gap and strong population growth due to economic development, housing advantages, talent attraction, and settlement policies.
The ecological excellence of Hefei, with an excellent air quality rate of 86.0%, has earned it the “China Climate Livable City” certification in 2023. The strategic development of emerging industries has propelled Hefei’s economy from breaking the trillion-yuan mark to exceeding ten trillion yuan in GDP within 14 years.
In the first half of 2023, Hefei achieved a GDP growth rate of 7.4%, entering the top 20 cities in the country. The orderly advancement of urban planning and construction has provided residents with favorable material conditions and living environments.
While the richness of scientific and educational resources may not be high, Hefei secured four seats in China’s top ten scientific and technological breakthroughs in 2021.Wuhu, being the second-largest city in Anhui, has continuously optimized its industrial structure with a concentration on high-end manufacturing.
The city is surrounded by picturesque mountains and rivers, earning it the nickname “half city of mountains and half city of water.” With a profound cultural heritage, Wuhu is recognized as a representative of China’s historical and cultural cities and the Jianghuai water region. Economically, Wuhu ranks second only to Hefei in the province. In 2022, Wuhu’s GDP reached 450.21 billion yuan, with a relatively small urban-rural income gap and a disposable income ratio of 1.8, below the national average.
The population has shown stable growth, ranking third nationally in population growth rate in 2022. This growth is attributed to economic development, housing advantages, talent attraction, and settlement policies. Wuhu’s resident population increased by 1.6% in 2022 compared to 2021, securing the city’s position as the third-fastest-growing in population nationwide.
