Finland Retains Title of World’s Happiest Country; India Ranks Below Conflict-Affected Nations

Finland has been ranked as the happiest country for the eighth time in the World Happiness Report 2025. India shows slight improvement yet ranks lower than several conflict-affected nations. The report underscores the significance of social support and community trust in determining happiness levels. The U.S. has reached its lowest ranking, while global concerns about social isolation among young adults continue to grow.

Finland has once again 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. Despite a slight improvement in India’s happiness ranking, which rose from 126th in 2024 to 118th this year, it still ranks below several conflict-affected nations, including Ukraine and Iraq.

The report highlights that other Nordic countries, such as Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden, continue to dominate the upper echelons of the happiness rankings. These standings are determined based on individuals’ self-assessments regarding their lives. The report is a collaborative effort with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

Jon Clifton, CEO of Gallup, stated, “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.”

Research indicates that certain simple factors influence happiness, such as sharing meals and having reliable social support. Notably, the report emphasizes that a household size of four to five in Mexico and Europe correlates with increased happiness levels. Additionally, the belief in the kindness of others significantly contributes to overall happiness.

The study found that individuals who held a belief that others would return lost wallets correlated highly with the happiness ratings of a population. Nordic nations excel in both actual and expected wallet return rates. Alarmingly, people tend to underestimate the community’s kindness, with actual return rates approximately double their expectations.

In standing out from European dominance, Israel ranks 8th, despite ongoing conflicts. Costa Rica and Mexico have both entered the top 10 for the first time, while the United States has plummeted to its lowest ranking at 24th, down from an all-time high of 11th in 2012. This decline correlates with a 53% increase in the number of individuals dining alone in the U.S. over the past two decades.

The UK’s rank of 23rd reflects its lowest life satisfaction scores since 2017. Conversely, Afghanistan retains its position as the unhappiest nation globally, with particular hardships faced by women. Sierra Leone and Lebanon follow as the second and third most unhappy nations.

A troubling statistic reveals 19% of young adults globally reported no social support in 2023, marking a 39% increase since 2006. The report evaluates countries based on self-assessed life evaluations averaged over 2022 to 2024, with experts analyzing factors such as GDP per capita and social connections to explain the happiness variations across nations.

In summary, the World Happiness Report for 2025 indicates that Finland maintains its status as the happiest country for the eighth year. Countries such as India and the United States face challenges, with noticeable drops in their happiness rankings. Significant factors affecting happiness include trust, social connections, and community support, highlighting the importance of interpersonal relationships over material wealth. The report raises concerns about social isolation among young adults globally, urging an emphasis on cultivating supportive communities to enhance overall well-being.

Original Source: www.livemint.com