Once again, Finland claims the top spot in the World Happiness Report, continuing its impressive streak as the happiest country for the eighth consecutive year.
The report reveals a rather disappointing trend for the UK and the USA, both of which have fallen to their lowest rankings in recent years.
The UK now sits at 23rd place, while the USA drops even further to 24th. This marks the first time since 2017 that the UK has been so low on the list, and the USA’s ranking is its worst ever.
Nordic Countries Dominate the Top Rankings
The report highlights that Nordic countries continue to dominate the rankings, with Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden taking the second, third, and fourth spots, respectively.
The Netherlands takes fifth, showing that these countries remain strong in their commitment to the well-being of their citizens.
A Closer Look at the Bottom of the List
On the other end of the scale, Afghanistan once again holds the title of the least happy country, with Sierra Leone, Lebanon, Malawi, and Zimbabwe rounding out the bottom five.
These rankings, published by Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and the World Happiness Report’s editorial board, are based on people’s self-assessments of their lives over the past three years.
What Affects Happiness? The Power of Connection and Trust
One significant finding from this year’s report is the importance of social connections in determining happiness.
People who regularly share meals with others report higher levels of well-being, and the number of people dining alone in the USA has risen by 53% over the past two decades.
Household size also plays a role, with those living in households of four or five members generally reporting higher happiness levels.
Additionally, the report points out that a growing number of young adults in the USA (39% since 2006) say they have no one they can rely on for social support, highlighting the negative impact of social isolation.
The Role of Trust in Happiness
Trust in others also emerges as a powerful predictor of happiness.
According to the report, believing that people would return your lost wallet is strongly linked to higher levels of happiness.
Interestingly, the Nordic countries rank highly not only for overall happiness but also for expected and actual wallet returns, suggesting that trust plays a vital role in their residents’ sense of well-being.
Despite this, the report reveals that most people tend to be too pessimistic about the kindness of their communities.
In reality, the rates of wallet return are about twice as high as people expect, indicating that there’s more goodwill in the world than we often realize.
The Most and Least Happy Countries in the World
Here are the top 10 happiest countries based on the latest World Happiness Report:
- Finland
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Sweden
- Netherlands
- Costa Rica
- Norway
- Israel
- Luxembourg
- Mexico
Countries like Costa Rica and Mexico are making significant strides, with both entering the top 10 for the first time this year.
Meanwhile, some countries that have seen the most improvement in happiness over the years include Serbia, Bulgaria, and Georgia.
The Takeaway: Happiness Beyond Wealth
Jon Clifton, the CEO of Gallup, reflects on the findings, emphasizing that happiness isn’t just about wealth or economic growth.
He stresses that it’s about trust, connection, and knowing that people have your back.
This year’s report challenges us to recognize the power of kindness and human connection, highlighting that if we want stronger communities and economies, we must invest in each other.