Finland retains its title as the happiest country for the eighth year, with India ranking 118th, below several conflict-affected nations. The report emphasizes the significance of social connections and trust in contributing to happiness, revealing concerning statistics about young adults lacking social support.
Finland has been designated as the happiest country in the world for the eighth consecutive year, as reported in the World Happiness Report 2025 published on March 19. India, while slightly improving its happiness ranking from 126 in 2024 to 118, still ranks lower than several conflict-ridden nations, including Ukraine and Mozambique.
The annual report, prepared by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, reaffirms that Nordic nations dominate happiness rankings, with Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden following Finland in the top four positions. The rankings are based on individuals’ self-assessments regarding their life satisfaction, conducted in collaboration with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
Jon Clifton, CEO of Gallup, remarked, “Happiness isn’t just about wealth or growth — it’s about trust, connection, and knowing people have your back. If we want stronger communities and economies, we must invest in what truly matters: each other.”
Researchers highlight that some basic factors, such as sharing meals and having a reliable support system, significantly contribute to happiness levels. In Mexico and Europe, families consisting of four to five members are associated with heightened happiness. Additionally, belief in the kindness of others impacts happiness more profoundly than previously understood.
The study noted an intriguing correlation: individuals who trust others to return a lost wallet tend to report higher overall happiness. Nordic nations excel in both anticipated and actual return rates for lost items, showing that perceptions often underestimate the kindness present in communities.
On a global scale, the United States has experienced a significant drop, now ranked at 24, its lowest position historically, following a previous peak at 11th place in 2012. The report highlights that the incidence of dining alone has surged by 53% over the past two decades, contributing to declining happiness levels. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom fell to 23rd, marking its lowest average life evaluation since 2017.
Afghanistan continues to hold the title of the unhappiest country globally, particularly affecting Afghan women. Sierra Leone and Lebanon follow as the second and third unhappiest countries, respectively. Alarmingly, the study conveys that nearly 19% of young adults worldwide in 2023 reported having no reliable support system, a striking 39% increase since 2006.
Countries are evaluated based on averaged self-assessments of life satisfaction from 2022 through 2024, with experts across various fields analyzing the disparities by considering factors like GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, social support availability, sense of freedom, and perceptions of corruption.
The World Happiness Report 2025 reaffirms Finland’s position as the happiest nation for the eighth year, while countries like India face challenges in comparison to conflict-affected nations. The findings underscore the importance of social connections, communal trust, and the impact of simple interactions on overall happiness. The report also highlights worrying trends regarding social support among younger populations, emphasizing the need for community engagement.
Original Source: www.livemint.com
