Sydney leads a global list of cities offering young adults a mix of jobs, disposable income, safety, transport and social life. /AI GENERATED
Sydney has emerged as the best city in the world for people in their 20s, followed by Zurich, Copenhagen, Tokyo and Amsterdam, according to a new global survey.
The study by digital entertainment platform BC Game examined 40 major cities to find out where young adults can enjoy a good balance of work, money, social life, safety and quality of life.
The survey combined disposable income, living costs, restaurants and cafés, nightlife, safety, quality of life, employment rates and public transport to produce a score out of 100 for each city.
Sydney took the top spot, helped by its strong public transport, relatively low unemployment and large number of restaurants, cafés and nightlife venues.
Young workers in the Australian city have about $1,308 (Sh169,334) left each month after paying rent and other living costs.
Its unemployment rate stands at 4.4 per cent, while its public transport system scored 81.2 out of 100.
The city also has about 230 restaurants and cafés per square kilometre, giving young residents plenty of options for eating out and socialising.
Zurich came second, offering the strongest financial advantage among the cities studied.
Young workers in the Swiss city retain nearly $4,000 (Sh517,840) a month after rent and living expenses.
Zurich also recorded an unemployment rate of just three per cent, while its public transport scored 91.4 out of 100.
Its safety rating of 75.9 also makes it one of the more secure cities in the study.
Copenhagen ranked third, standing out for its strong job market. Its unemployment rate of 2.7 per cent was among the lowest recorded in the study.
Young residents have about $1,740 (Sh225,260) left each month after rent and living costs.
The Danish capital also has about 2,900 restaurants and cafés, giving residents plenty of options for socialising after work.
Tokyo took fourth place, largely driven by its huge dining and nightlife scene.
The Japanese capital has nearly 15,000 restaurants, cafés and bars, the highest number among the cities examined.
It also recorded an impressive public transport score of 94.8 and an unemployment rate of just 2.5 per cent. Disposable income is lower, at about $880 (Sh113,925) a month, but the study noted that Tokyo's relatively affordable everyday costs make the money go further.
Amsterdam completed the top five, recording the highest quality-of-life score in the study at 196.4 out of 200. Young residents retain about $1,500 (Sh194,190) a month after rent and bills.
The Dutch capital has about 5,800 restaurants and cafés, while its public transport scored 88 out of 100 and its safety rating stood at 70.
The BC Game chief executive said safety was an important factor that was often overlooked when considering where young people would prefer to live.
"Safety is the factor that doesn't get talked about enough in these conversations," he said, noting that young people may be less willing to go out when they do not feel safe.
The CEO also pointed to the challenges facing Gen Z in the job market, saying cities that offer employment opportunities, disposable income and social activities can make the transition into adult life easier.
For a young Kenyan considering life abroad, the findings highlight a familiar balancing act: what remains after rent, basic needs and other essential bills can determine whether there is enough left for a social life outside work in a generation that increasingly values flexibility over the traditional office routine.
