Vietnam Ranks as Second Happiest Country in Southeast Asia: 2025 Report

Vietnam has ranked as the second happiest country in Southeast Asia according to the 2025 World Happiness Report, rising to 46th globally. Finland remains the world’s happiest nation, with Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden following. The report emphasized factors beyond wealth, including trust and community support, while revealing a rising trend of social isolation among youth.

According to the 2025 World Happiness Report, released on March 21, 2025, Vietnam has been ranked as the second happiest country in Southeast Asia, following Singapore. The report evaluated 143 nations and indicated that Vietnam improved its global standing from the 54th position in 2023 to the 46th in 2025. It was recognized as one of the notable gainers this year, along with countries such as China, Mongolia, and the Philippines.

Finland retained its title as the world’s happiest nation for the eighth consecutive year, maintaining a leading presence among Nordic countries. Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden followed Finland in the top four spots. European nations generally performed well, filling a significant portion of the top 20 ranks. Despite ongoing conflict, Israel secured the eighth position, while Costa Rica and Mexico entered the top 10 for the first time, ranking sixth and tenth, respectively.

In stark contrast, the United States fell to its lowest ranking ever, standing at 24th place. The report highlighted a concerning 53 percent increase in Americans dining alone over the past two decades, shedding light on rising social isolation. In the lowest tier, Afghanistan was identified as the least happy country, followed by Sierra Leone and Lebanon.

The rankings were determined through self-assessments of life satisfaction conducted by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, along with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Jon Clifton, CEO of Gallup, remarked on the broader aspects of happiness beyond mere financial wealth, which include trust and community support. He stated, “Happiness isn’t just about wealth or growth – it’s about trust, connection and knowing people have your back.”

Moreover, the report identified several key elements contributing to happiness, such as health, wealth, and interpersonal connections including meal sharing and a robust social support network. It was noted that a belief in others’ kindness strongly correlated with higher life satisfaction, with those believing in trustworthiness reporting positively. Yet, a troubling finding revealed that 19 percent of young individuals globally in 2023 reported lacking anyone to rely on for social support—a 39 percent increase since 2006.

The 2025 World Happiness Report illustrates significant changes in global happiness rankings, highlighting Vietnam’s remarkable rise to second in Southeast Asia. The report underscores the importance of community, trust, and social connections in enhancing happiness, as emphasized by Jon Clifton of Gallup. Despite the improvements seen in various countries, particularly Vietnam, the increase in social isolation among the youth is a troubling concern that warrants attention for future wellbeing initiatives.

Original Source: asianews.network