According to the 2025 World Happiness Report, Finland has been named the nation’s happiest nation for the seventh year in a string. However, the United States dropped to No 24 on the list of its lowest position to time.
The report, which was released on March 20 to indicate the United Nations ‘ International Day of Happiness, raised growing concerns about declining interpersonal trust and happiness in some parts of Europe and North America. Finland and its Nordic neighbors, on the other hand, continue to set the gold standard for happiness, cultural assistance, and well-being.
The joy equation
The happiness measured through people’s life evaluations over the past three years ( 2022-2024 ) is based on Gallup World Poll data from over 140 countries. The study examines the following six key indicators: GDP per capita, social support, long-term health, freedom, compassion, and perceptions of fraud.
One important lesson was that people are often more kind than we assume, according to John Helliwell, the report’s founding director and emeritus professor of economics at the University of British Columbia.
” Women’s other people are better than they think they are, and it will make you happier, of sure, but it’ll also change the way you view your neighbors,” he said.
The world’s happiest countries
Northern nations continue to hold the best positions, as in past years. Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden moved up three spots, while Norway maintained its position at No 7.
Ilana Ron-Levey, managing director at Gallup, said that “nordic countries like Finland continue to benefit from uniformly accessible and high-quality health, education, and social support devices.”
Finland’s pleasure isn’t just about robust security laws; its members ‘ thinking likewise plays a role. According to studies on lost cards, Finnish people are among the most likely to return them to their owners, a trait that research shows reflects in Finnish people’s higher levels of trust and society nature.
Costa Rica ( No. 10 ) also made a surprise entrance into Latin America’s top 10. 6 ) and Mexico ( No. 10 ) for the first time position. Solid social networks and positive financial perceptions, in Ron-Levey’s opinion, contributed to their rise.
The influence of optimism
Helliwell argued that a change in perspective might be needed despite the report’s disturbing developments.
When dealing with people, he advised,” Take it seriously with the folks you work with, the people you live with, the people on your roads, and put on a brighter set of glasses.”
He continued, arguing that innate selfishness is the cause of societal and personal well-being.
In 2025, the country’s happiest nations will be.
- Finland
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Sweden
- Netherlands
- Costa Rica
- Norway
- Israel
- Luxembourg
- Mexico
India is ranked 118th among the nations with the worst lives.
Afghanistan ( No. ) is at the bottom of the list. 147 ) is still the most unhappy nation in the world, followed by Sierra Leone ( No. 1 ). 146 ), Lebanon ( No. 145 ), Malawi ( No. 144 ), and Zimbabwe ( No. 143 ).