Ranking of Happiness and Livability in Iwate Prefecture: 2025 Insights

Ranking of Happiness and Livability in Iwate Prefecture 2025

In an extensive survey conducted by Dahito Kentaku Co., Ltd., the results of the "Happiness Ranking" and "Livability Ranking" for cities in Iwate Prefecture for 2025 have been published. This year marks a significant analysis, gathering responses over five years to provide a deeper insight into residents' sentiments.

Highlights of the Happiness Ranking

Morioka city has once again secured the top spot in the Happiness Ranking for the fourth consecutive year, maintaining a high score in the index with a deviation value in the 70s. Following closely behind is Shizukuishi town, which climbed eight positions from last year to reach second place, while Kamaishi city has secured third position.

Morioka's consistent ranking reflects its residents' high level of contentment and satisfaction with their living conditions, often referred to in Japanese as "sumikochi" (comfort of living). Shizukuishi's climb in ranking signifies a growing affection among residents, showcasing the community's proactive initiatives aimed at enhancing quality of life.

In addition to Morioka, Kamaishi has also shown remarkable resilience and growth in its happiness score. Two areas that reentered the top ten this year, which were previously ranked below 50, are Isawa district Kangezaki and Rikuzentakata city, showing the potential for improvement in these communities.

To ensure accuracy, the Happiness Ranking is based on responses from 2021 to 2025, with supplementary data from 2019 and 2020 used when fewer than 50 responses were collected. The scores are derived from a 10-point scale question, asking respondents to rate their happiness, turning the average into a normalized deviation score.

Insights from the Livability Ranking

The "Livability Ranking" also sees Morioka city reigning supreme for three years running. Notably, Shizukuishi town improved its standing from fifth to second place, while Shiho town kept its third place position consistent for three years.

One key observation is the rising prominence of rural areas, with five out of the top nine rankings belonging to towns within various districts. New to the top tier this year is Kamihirai town at fourth position, indicating a substantial improvement in local resident sentiment.

The Livability Ranking is calculated based on average scores derived from a five-point scale where respondents express their desire to stay in their current city. This measure not only reflects current sentiments but also hints at future trends in local residency.

Conclusion and Data Collection Methodology

The survey was conducted by MacroMill using an internet-based questionnaire distributed to individuals aged 20 and over residing in Iwate Prefecture, amounting to a total of 7381 valid responses across five years. Noteworthy demographic trends were observed, including a balanced gender ratio and a diverse age distribution among respondents.

The survey period varied across the years, from February 2021 until March 2025, with careful measures taken to maintain relevance and representativeness in data collection.

For more detailed insights into these rankings and methodologies, please visit the respective websites for the complete report and additional resources. The continuous ratings serve not only as a gauge of current satisfaction but also as a key indicator of future urban planning and community development across Iwate Prefecture.