WORLD HAPPINESS REPORT - REPORTS
NEWS: The World Happiness Report 2025 was released by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, in collaboration with Gallup, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and an independent editorial board.
• Finland retained its position as the world’s happiest country for the eighth consecutive year, followed by Denmark and Iceland.
• The report evaluates social, economic, and emotional well-being factors.
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?
World Happiness Report 2025 – Key Findings
Top 10 Happiest Countries
• The top 10 countries in the World Happiness Index 2025 are:
1. Finland – Maintains its position as the happiest country in the world.
2. Denmark – Consistently ranks among the top due to high social trust, welfare, and work-life balance.
3. Iceland – Benefits from strong community bonds, high life satisfaction, and low corruption.
4. Sweden – Known for excellent healthcare, education, and social security.
5. Netherlands – Offers high levels of freedom, quality of life, and strong civic engagement.
6. Costa Rica – New entrant in the top 10, credited to strong environmental policies and social well-being.
7. Norway – Scores high on economic prosperity, healthcare, and citizen welfare.
8. Israel – Despite geopolitical challenges, strong social networks and high resilience contribute to its ranking.
9. Luxembourg – Benefits from high GDP per capita and strong governance.
10. Mexico – First-time entrant into the top 10, attributed to strong cultural connections and high social trust.
Bottom 5 Unhappiest Countries
• The five lowest-ranking countries in happiness are:
143. Zimbabwe – Faces economic instability, poor healthcare, and governance issues.
144. Malawi – Struggles with poverty, limited social support, and healthcare access.
145. Lebanon – Affected by political instability, economic crisis, and high inflation.
146. Sierra Leone – Continues to struggle with poverty, disease outbreaks, and poor governance.
147. Afghanistan – Ranks as the unhappiest country for the fourth consecutive year due to:
• Ongoing conflict and instability.
• Severe economic hardship.
• Lack of basic freedoms and rights.
Limited access to healthcare and education.
Notable Changes in 2025 Rankings
New Entrants in the Top 10
• Costa Rica (6th place) and Mexico (10th place) entered the top 10 for the first time in history.
• Costa Rica's rise is due to its focus on sustainability, mental well-being, and community strength.
• Mexico's improved ranking is linked to cultural resilience and high social support levels.
Decline of the United States
• The United States dropped to 24th place, its lowest ranking ever recorded.
• Key reason: Rising social isolation and declining community engagement.
• Economic growth alone has not translated into greater happiness for the U.S. population.
Decline of the United Kingdom
• The United Kingdom dropped to 23rd place, marking its lowest ranking since 2017.
• Reasons for decline:
• Concerns over economic uncertainty and social welfare.
• Rising mental health issues and lower life satisfaction compared to previous years.
About the World Happiness Index
What is the World Happiness Index?
• A global ranking that evaluates the happiness levels of different countries.
• Based on self-reported life satisfaction surveys conducted by Gallup.
Origin of the Index
• First published: 2012.
• Annual publisher:
• Wellbeing Research Centre, University of Oxford.
• Gallup.
• UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).
Key Criteria for Ranking
The World Happiness Index ranks countries based on six major factors:
1. GDP per capita – Measures economic prosperity and wealth distribution.
2. Social support – Evaluates the sense of community and trust in society.
3. Healthy life expectancy – Assesses overall health and longevity.
4. Freedom to make life choices – Examines personal liberties and societal openness.
5. Generosity – Based on charitable giving and social cooperation.
6. Perception of corruption – Measures public trust in government and institutions.
India’s Position and Reasons for Its Low Rank
India’s Ranking in 2025
• India ranked 118th out of 147 countries.
• Improved from 126th place in 2024, but still lags behind many neighbors.
• Historical trends:
• Lowest-ever ranking: 144th in 2012.
• Best-ever ranking: 94th in 2022.
• India ranks below:
• Pakistan (109th place).
• Nepal (92nd place).
• Despite strong economic growth, India struggles to improve happiness levels.
Reasons for India’s Low Ranking
• Lower Social Support:
• Weaker community ties and lower social trust negatively impact happiness.
• High Economic Inequality:
• Despite strong GDP growth, wealth disparity remains a challenge.
• Perception of Corruption:
• Trust in government institutions remains low, affecting public satisfaction.
• Mental Health Concerns:
• Work stress, lack of work-life balance, and increasing mental health issues reduce happiness.
• Quality of Life Differences:
• Pakistan and Nepal rank higher due to better community support and social trust, despite having lower economic prosperity than India.
Key Takeaways from the Report
Social Support is More Important than Economic Growth
• Countries with strong social connections, trust, and well-being rank higher in happiness.
• Economic growth alone does not guarantee higher happiness levels.
Mental Health and Community Welfare Are Crucial
• Nations investing in mental health awareness and community welfare show higher happiness rankings.
• Loneliness, work-related stress, and mental health challenges lower happiness in many high-income nations.
Corruption and Governance Impact Happiness
• Perceived corruption negatively affects happiness levels, as seen in low-ranking nations like Lebanon and Zimbabwe.
• Trust in government and social institutions leads to greater public satisfaction.
Countries with a Balanced Lifestyle Rank Higher
• Nations offering a balance between work, leisure, and social welfare consistently rank in the top 10.
• Scandinavian nations (Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Norway) continue to dominate due to their focus on work-life balance and well-being.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/top-10-listing/top-10-happiest-countries-in-the-world-2025-finland-india-rank-9898574/