Finland has once again secured its position as the happiest country in the world, marking its eighth consecutive year at the top of the World Happiness Report. Released on the UN’s International Day of Happiness, the report evaluates the well-being of over 140 countries based on factors like social support, health, freedom, generosity, GDP, and perceptions of corruption.
On a scale of 0 to 10, where 10 represents the best possible life, Finland scored an impressive 7.74. Professor Jan-Emmanuel De Neve from the University of Oxford explained that Finland’s high ranking stems from strong social connections, a close bond with nature, and overall life satisfaction rather than outward expressions of joy.
Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and the Netherlands closely followed Finland, highlighting the Nordic region’s continued dominance in happiness rankings. Notably, Costa Rica and Mexico entered the top 10 for the first time, securing 6th and 10th places, respectively. Meanwhile, the United States saw its ranking drop to 24th, its lowest position yet, while the United Kingdom ranked 23rd.
India’s Position in Global Happiness Rankings
India showed slight improvement, moving up from 126th place in 2024 to 118th in 2025. However, despite the progress, India remains behind several conflict-affected nations, including Ukraine, Mozambique, and Iraq.
While India scored well in social support, reflecting its strong community-based culture, it lagged behind in freedom of choice, indicating limited individual autonomy in decision-making. Among its neighboring countries, Nepal ranked highest at 92, followed by Pakistan (109) and China (68), while Sri Lanka (133) and Bangladesh (134) ranked lower.
The World’s Unhappiest Countries
Afghanistan remains the least happy country in the world, primarily due to worsening conditions for Afghan women and ongoing socio-political instability. Sierra Leone and Lebanon followed as the second and third unhappiest nations, both struggling with economic crises, poverty, and unrest.
As happiness continues to be shaped by social and economic factors, the World Happiness Report provides a critical perspective on global well-being, highlighting the need for nations to prioritize policies that improve the quality of life for their citizens.
