The 2025 World Happiness Report ranks Finland as the happiest country for the eighth consecutive year. India improved to 118th place but is less happy than conflict-ridden nations. Nordic countries dominate the rankings, while the U.S. has declined to its lowest ranking at 24. Notably, social support is declining among young adults globally, raising concerns about collective well-being.
Finland has been named the happiest country globally for the eighth consecutive year in the 2025 World Happiness Report published on March 19. Despite an increase in India’s happiness ranking from 126 in 2024 to 118 in this year’s report, it remains less happy than nations affected by conflict, including Ukraine, Mozambique, and others.
Nordic countries, including Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden, also maintain high rankings in terms of happiness. The survey measures individuals’ life evaluations in collaboration with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, focusing on personal perceptions of happiness.
Jon Clifton, CEO of Gallup, emphasizes that happiness extends beyond economic factors, highlighting the importance of trust and connection within communities. Acknowledging that investment in social connections fosters stronger communities is vital.
The study identifies simple yet impactful influences on happiness, such as sharing meals with others and reliable social support networks. In specific regions, such as Mexico and Europe, having a household size of four to five members is linked to higher happiness levels. Belief in the kindness of others is also a potent predictor of national happiness.
Countries like the U.S. have seen significant declines, with the nation plummeting to its lowest-ever happiness ranking at 24th position. Conversely, countries like Costa Rica and Mexico have made remarkable entries into the top ten, ranking as high as 6th and 10th, respectively. The report indicates a troubling increase in solitary dining in the U.S., up by 53% in twenty years.
Notably, one-fifth of young adults globally report lacking social support, marking a 39% increase since 2006. The report gathers rankings based on life evaluations spanning 2022 to 2024 and investigates various factors impacting happiness across different nations.
The report highlights that Afghanistan remains the world’s unhappiest country, with concerns raised about the difficult lives of Afghan women. Sierra Leone and Lebanon follow closely in unhappiness metrics.
The 2025 World Happiness Report underscores that Finland remains at the forefront of global happiness for an impressive eighth year. While India shows slight improvement, it still ranks lower than several conflict-affected nations. The report reiterates that factors like social connections and community trust play a significant role in determining happiness, revealing the pressing need for nations, especially the U.S., to address social isolation and support structures to enhance overall well-being.
Original Source: www.livemint.com
