Barking and Dagenham: UK’s Saddest Place in 2025 Index

Key Points

• Barking and Dagenham has been named Great Britain’s unhappiest place to live, ranking last out of 220 areas in Rightmove’s 2025 Happy at Home Index.​
• The index, now in its 14th year, surveys thousands of residents across 200 locations on factors like safety, sense of belonging, green spaces, and access to essential services.​
• Two other east London boroughs join at the bottom: Newham at 219th and Havering at 218th, making them the most miserable boroughs in the capital.​
• Barking and Dagenham’s national ranking has dropped since last year, when it was third unhappiest.​
• Happiest east London borough is Tower Hamlets at 9th in the capital, followed by Waltham Forest at 12th.​
• Young adults aged 18-24 are least likely to feel happy where they live, with happiness increasing with age.​

Barking and Dagenham has been ranked as the saddest place to live in Great Britain, according to property website Rightmove’s annual Happy at Home Index for 2025. The study, which surveyed thousands of residents across 220 locations, places the east London borough last, with neighbours Newham and Havering also at the bottom of the national table. This marks a decline for Barking and Dagenham, which was third unhappiest last year. The index highlights stark contrasts within London, where Tower Hamlets ranks as the capital’s happiest borough.

What is the Rightmove Happy at Home Index?

The Rightmove Happy at Home Index, now in its 14th year, evaluates resident satisfaction across Great Britain by polling thousands on what they love or dislike about their areas. Factors include safety, a sense of belonging, access to green spaces, and essential services, with respondents prioritising community feel and amenities. This 2025 edition covers 220 locations, up from previous years, providing a comprehensive snapshot of national wellbeing trends.​

As detailed in the study’s methodology, Rightmove analyses responses to identify top and bottom performers, revealing how local environments shape daily happiness. The index has consistently shown that proximity to nature and strong community ties boost scores, while isolation or poor services drag them down. For Barking and Dagenham, these elements appear to fall short compared to national averages.​

Why Has Barking and Dagenham Ranked Last?

Barking and Dagenham’s position as the unhappiest place stems from low scores in key areas like safety and belonging, as captured in resident feedback for the 2025 index. The borough has slid from third last year to dead last nationally out of 220 areas, indicating worsening perceptions among locals. Rightmove’s data underscores how east London struggles persist despite urban regeneration efforts in some parts.​

Residents likely cited limited green spaces and service access as pain points, mirroring trends in similar deprived areas. This drop highlights broader challenges in outer London boroughs, where economic pressures and infrastructure gaps affect quality of life. Tower Hamlets, by contrast, benefits from vibrant communities and better amenities, securing 9th in the capital.​

Which Other East London Boroughs Rank Poorly?

Newham sits at 219th and Havering at 218th nationally, forming the trio of London’s most miserable boroughs in the Rightmove study. These rankings place all three at the absolute bottom of the 220-area table, signalling acute unhappiness in east London. Factors such as urban density and service strains likely contribute to these low positions.​

In comparison, Waltham Forest follows Tower Hamlets as the capital’s second-happiest east borough at 12th locally. This clustering at the bottom for Barking and Dagenham, Newham, and Havering points to regional disparities, even within Greater London. Rightmove notes that such patterns often tie to socioeconomic profiles shared across these areas.​

How Does This Compare to Last Year’s Results?

Barking and Dagenham was the third unhappiest place in the 2024 index but has now plummeted to last in 2025. This year-on-year decline suggests deteriorating resident satisfaction, possibly linked to ongoing local issues. Nationally, the study maintains consistency in methodology, making the drop noteworthy.​

Other boroughs’ positions appear stable or slightly varied, but the east London trio’s dominance at the bottom is a new low. Rightmove’s longitudinal data shows happiness can fluctuate with external factors like economic shifts or policy changes. For Barking and Dagenham, reversing this trend may require targeted interventions.​

What Makes Tower Hamlets the Happiest East London Borough?

Tower Hamlets tops east London at 9th happiest in the capital, praised for strong community ties and amenities. Residents value its cultural vibrancy and access to services, setting it apart from neighbours. Waltham Forest, at 12th locally, similarly scores well on belonging and green spaces.​

These higher rankings contrast sharply with the southern east boroughs, highlighting intra-regional divides. Rightmove attributes Tower Hamlets’ success to diverse neighbourhoods and investment in public realms. Such examples offer blueprints for improvement elsewhere.​

Who Feels Least Happy According to the Study?

The 2025 index reveals that 18 to 24-year-olds are least likely to report happiness in their areas, with satisfaction rising through age groups. Younger residents often prioritise dynamic environments, which some locations lack. This demographic trend spans the country, not just low-ranked boroughs.​

Older brackets show steadier contentment, valuing stability over excitement. Rightmove’s findings align with national surveys on youth wellbeing, where affordability and opportunities weigh heavily. Policymakers may need youth-focused strategies to address this gap.​

What Factors Drive Happiness in the Index?

Safety emerges as a top priority, with residents in high-ranking areas feeling more secure. A sense of belonging fosters community pride, while green spaces provide vital escapes. Essential services like shops and healthcare must be accessible to boost scores.​

Rightmove emphasises that these elements interconnect, creating virtuous cycles in top performers. Low-ranked areas like Barking and Dagenham falter across multiple, amplifying misery. The study urges local councils to invest accordingly.​

How Can Barking and Dagenham Improve Its Ranking?

While Rightmove does not prescribe fixes, patterns suggest enhancing safety and green areas could help. Community programmes might rebuild belonging, drawing from Tower Hamlets’ model. Long-term infrastructure upgrades address service gaps.​

Local leaders have yet to respond publicly to the 2025 results, but past indices prompted regeneration pledges. Resident input remains crucial, as the index relies on direct voices. Sustained efforts could lift Barking and Dagenham from the bottom.​

What Do National Trends Reveal?

Great Britain’s happiness map shows rural and affluent areas dominating the top, per Rightmove. London boroughs vary wildly, with east suffering most. The 14-year index tracks how post-pandemic shifts elevated green space value.​

Younger generations’ lower scores signal societal challenges like housing costs. Rightmove plans annual updates to monitor progress. For east Londoners, these insights spotlight urgent priorities.