For the eighth consecutive year, Finland has been named the happiest country in the world, according to the World Happiness Report 2025. Released annually on the United Nations’ International Day of Happiness, the report evaluates the well-being of people across more than 140 nations based on various socio-economic factors.
The World Happiness Report 2025 considers key elements such as social support, healthcare, freedom, generosity, perceived corruption levels, and gross domestic product (GDP) to determine rankings. Finland secured the top spot with an average score of 7.74 on a scale from 0 to 10, where 10 represents the best possible life.
Professor Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, director of the Wellbeing Research Center at the University of Oxford and an editor of the report, explained Finland’s success: “They have wealth, good health, social connections, and a deep bond with nature. While they may not exhibit overt joy, they are highly content with their lives.”
Nordic Dominance & New Entrants in Top 10
Nordic countries continue to dominate the rankings, with Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and the Netherlands rounding out the top five. Their strong social welfare systems, high standards of living, and emphasis on work-life balance contribute to their consistent performance in the happiness index.
Notably, Costa Rica and Mexico made their debut in the top 10, ranking 6th and 10th, respectively. Meanwhile, the United States saw a significant drop, slipping to its lowest-ever position at 24th place. The United Kingdom ranked slightly higher at 23rd.
Top 10 Happiest Countries in the World
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Finland
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Denmark
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Iceland
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Sweden
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Netherlands
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Costa Rica
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Norway
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Israel
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Luxembourg
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Mexico
India’s Position in the Global Happiness Index
India improved its ranking, moving up from 126 in 2024 to 118 in the World Happiness Report 2025. However, despite this progress, India still ranks behind several conflict-affected nations, including Ukraine, Mozambique, and Iraq.
India performed well in social support, reflecting the country’s strong community bonds and cultural tradition of extended families. However, it scored lower on the freedom parameter, which measures individuals’ perception of personal choices and life satisfaction.
Among its neighboring countries, Nepal led the region at 92nd place, followed by Pakistan at 109, and China at 68. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh ranked lower at 133 and 134, respectively.
World’s Unhappiest Countries
Afghanistan remains the least happy nation, largely due to the hardships faced by Afghan women and worsening socio-political conditions. Sierra Leone and Lebanon followed as the second and third unhappiest countries, respectively, struggling with conflict, economic crises, and political instability.
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