Finland Tops World Happiness Rankings Again, as US Slips to Its Lowest Spot
Finland has once again been ranked as the happiest country in the world, securing the top position in the World Happiness Report 2025 for the eighth year in a row. The annual report, published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, continues to show that Nordic nations dominate the global happiness rankings, with Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden following closely behind.
The study, conducted in collaboration with the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and Gallup, is based on self-reported life evaluations from people across various countries. The findings indicate that happiness is influenced not just by economic factors but also by social trust, personal connections, and perceived well-being within communities.
Social Connection: A Key Factor in Happiness
Researchers emphasize that social behaviors—such as sharing meals, having reliable social support, and a sense of belonging—play a crucial role in determining happiness levels. Household size also appears to influence well-being, with families of four or five members reporting the highest satisfaction in Mexico and Europe.
Interestingly, the perception of kindness in society is a major factor in overall happiness. The report suggests that countries where people believe lost wallets would be returned tend to rank higher in happiness. Nordic nations, which consistently score well in trust and social cohesion, exhibit some of the highest rates of expected and actual wallet returns.
The United States Falls to Its Lowest-Ever Ranking
While European nations dominate the top 20 positions, notable shifts have taken place. Israel, despite ongoing conflict, remains in the top 10, ranking 8th. Additionally, Costa Rica and Mexico made their debut in the top 10, ranking 6th and 10th, respectively.
However, the United States has experienced a significant drop, falling to 24th place—its lowest ranking in the history of the report. The US had previously peaked at 11th place in 2012, but recent trends show a decline in reported well-being. One contributing factor could be the rise in social isolation, with statistics indicating that the number of people dining alone in the US has increased by 53% over the last two decades.
Similarly, the United Kingdom, now at 23rd place, is seeing its lowest happiness score since 2017. Experts believe that rising economic uncertainties and social fragmentation are major reasons behind this downward trend.
Afghanistan Remains the Unhappiest Country
At the other end of the spectrum, Afghanistan remains the unhappiest country in the world, with particularly dire conditions for women. Sierra Leone and Lebanon follow closely behind, ranking as the second and third least happy nations globally.
Young Adults Facing Social Support Crisis
A particularly concerning finding in this year’s report is the growing lack of social support among young adults. In 2023, 19% of young people globally reported having no one they could rely on for support—marking a 39% increase from 2006.
The rankings are based on self-assessed life satisfaction scores, averaged over 2022-2024. Experts from various disciplines, including economics, psychology, and sociology, analyze trends using indicators such as GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, social trust, personal freedom, generosity, and perceptions of corruption.
A Changing Global Landscape
As countries grapple with economic shifts, geopolitical tensions, and evolving social structures, happiness rankings provide valuable insights into the well-being of populations worldwide. While Nordic countries continue to set the standard, the struggles seen in the US and UK highlight the growing importance of community support and social cohesion in maintaining long-term happiness.
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