For the eighth year in a row, Finland has secured its position as the happiest country globally, according to the 2025 World Happiness Report. Published on the UN’s International Day of Happiness, the survey ranks over 140 nations based on factors such as social support, health, freedom, generosity, economic strength, and trust in governance.
Scoring 7.74 out of 10, Finland leads with its high standard of living, strong community ties, and close connection with nature. Though not overly expressive, Finnish citizens are deeply satisfied with their lives, says Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, an economist from Oxford University and editor of the report. Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and the Netherlands follow closely behind.
Surprisingly, Costa Rica (6th) and Mexico (10th) entered the top 10 for the first time, while the United States slipped to 24th place, its lowest ranking so far. The UK ranked 23rd.
India climbed from 126th in 2024 to 118th this year, performing well in community support but scoring low in individual freedoms. Among its neighbors, Nepal (92) topped the region, followed by Pakistan (109) and China (68).
Meanwhile, Afghanistan remains the least happy country, with Sierra Leone and Lebanon ranking just above it, mainly due to ongoing instability and economic hardships.
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