Finland has secured its position as the world's happiest nation for the eighth consecutive year, as revealed in the World Happiness Report 2025 released on Thursday. The Nordic countries continue to dominate the top positions, with Denmark, Iceland and Sweden maintaining their respective rankings in the top four spots.
The rankings were determined through self-evaluation surveys where individuals rated their own lives. The research was conducted collaboratively by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, alongside Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
"Happiness isn't just about wealth or growth - it's about trust, connection and knowing people have your back," said Jon Clifton, the CEO of Gallup. "If we want stronger communities and economies, we must invest in what truly matters: each other."
Basic factors such as shared meals, reliable social support and household composition significantly influence happiness levels. Research indicates that in Mexico and Europe, households with four to five members report the highest satisfaction levels.
The study highlights that faith in others' kindness has a stronger correlation with happiness than previously recognised. For instance, confidence in wallet return serves as a reliable indicator of collective happiness, with Nordic nations showing high rates of both expected and actual wallet returns.
The top 20 positions are predominantly held by European nations, with notable exceptions. Israel secured 8th position despite the Hamas conflict, whilst Costa Rica and Mexico achieved their first top 10 placements at 6th and 10th respectively.
The United States has dropped to its lowest position at 24th, down from its peak at 11th in 2012. The UK occupies the 23rd position, marking its lowest evaluation since 2017. Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the rankings, with Afghan women reporting particularly challenging circumstances. Sierra Leone and Lebanon follow as the second and third unhappiest nations respectively.
A worrying trend shows that 19 per cent of young adults worldwide reported having no social support in 2023, representing a 39 per cent increase from 2006.
The rankings reflect average life evaluations from 2022 to 2024, analysed through various factors including GDP per capita, health expectations, social support, freedom, generosity and perceived corruption.
With AP Inputs
The rankings were determined through self-evaluation surveys where individuals rated their own lives. The research was conducted collaboratively by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, alongside Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
"Happiness isn't just about wealth or growth - it's about trust, connection and knowing people have your back," said Jon Clifton, the CEO of Gallup. "If we want stronger communities and economies, we must invest in what truly matters: each other."
Basic factors such as shared meals, reliable social support and household composition significantly influence happiness levels. Research indicates that in Mexico and Europe, households with four to five members report the highest satisfaction levels.
The study highlights that faith in others' kindness has a stronger correlation with happiness than previously recognised. For instance, confidence in wallet return serves as a reliable indicator of collective happiness, with Nordic nations showing high rates of both expected and actual wallet returns.
The top 20 positions are predominantly held by European nations, with notable exceptions. Israel secured 8th position despite the Hamas conflict, whilst Costa Rica and Mexico achieved their first top 10 placements at 6th and 10th respectively.
The United States has dropped to its lowest position at 24th, down from its peak at 11th in 2012. The UK occupies the 23rd position, marking its lowest evaluation since 2017. Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the rankings, with Afghan women reporting particularly challenging circumstances. Sierra Leone and Lebanon follow as the second and third unhappiest nations respectively.
A worrying trend shows that 19 per cent of young adults worldwide reported having no social support in 2023, representing a 39 per cent increase from 2006.
The rankings reflect average life evaluations from 2022 to 2024, analysed through various factors including GDP per capita, health expectations, social support, freedom, generosity and perceived corruption.
List of Top 10 Happiest Countries in the world
| RANK | Country |
| 1 | Finland |
| 2 | Denmark |
| 3 | Iceland |
| 4 | Sweden |
| 5 | Netherlands |
| 6 | Costa Rica |
| 7 | Norway |
| 8 | Israel |
| 9 | Luxembourg |
| 10 | Mexico |
With AP Inputs
