For the 8th consecutive year, Finland remains the world’s happiest country, while Afghanistan ranks as the unhappiest country in 2025. India’s happiness ranking has slightly improved, climbing to 118th place. The consistent top rankings of Nordic countries like Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden highlight the significant impact of social systems on national well-being.
The Global Happiness Index sheds light on the state of well-being around the world, with Finland once again taking the top spot as the happiest country for the 8th year in a row. In contrast, Afghanistan remains at the bottom, ranking as the world’s unhappiest country. India has shown a slight improvement, moving up to 118th place, reflecting gradual progress.
The consistent performance of Nordic countries like Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden reinforces the critical role that strong social systems and quality of life play in shaping national happiness. This report, compiled by the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre, Gallup, and the United Nations, evaluates essential factors such as health, wealth, freedom, and generosity to measure global happiness and well-being.
For a comprehensive overview of the full rankings, click here.
Afghanistan Unhappiest, US Historic Low, India Improves in 2025 Happiness Ranking
According to the latest Global Happiness Rankings, Afghanistan remains the world’s unhappiest country, continuing to face challenges like socio-political instability, economic hardship, and human rights violations. These persistent struggles affect the overall well-being of its citizens, especially women, who report facing severe restrictions on their personal freedom and opportunities.
On the other hand, the United States has dropped to 24th place, marking its lowest-ever ranking. This decline reflects a growing sense of social isolation and mental health challenges, with more Americans dining alone and feeling disconnected from their communities. Despite its economic power, the US happiness ranking continues to fall as social well-being becomes increasingly important.
At the other end of the spectrum, Nordic countries like Finland, Denmark, and Iceland continue to dominate the top of the rankings. Their success can be attributed to strong social systems, healthcare access, and personal freedoms, which provide a foundation for high levels of national well-being. The Nordic happiness model shows the significant role that social support systems, economic equality, and freedom from corruption play in fostering happiness.
India, however, has seen some improvement in its ranking, rising from 126th to 118th. While this is a positive development, India still lags behind many countries, including those affected by conflict like Ukraine and Iraq. This demonstrates how political instability, economic inequality, and mental health can hinder national happiness.
Compiled by the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre, Gallup, and the United Nations, the Global Happiness Index measures factors like health, wealth, freedom, generosity, and freedom from corruption to gauge national happiness. These findings reinforce the importance of strong social systems, mental health, and economic stability in improving the overall quality of life for citizens around the world.
Why Social Connection Matters for Happiness: Key Factors in Global Happiness Rankings
The World Happiness Report shows that beyond health and wealth, factors like social connections, household size, and trust in others significantly impact global happiness. In countries like Mexico and parts of Europe, a household size of four to five people correlates with higher happiness levels, highlighting the importance of shared meals and social support.
Moreover, trust in others is a crucial determinant of happiness. People who believe in the kindness of others and feel secure in their communities report higher life satisfaction. This sense of social trust strengthens community bonds and promotes overall well-being.
Countries like Finland, Denmark, and Iceland continue to rank at the top of the Global Happiness Rankings, thanks to their strong social safety nets and high levels of social trust. In fact, these Nordic nations also rank high for the return of lost wallets, reflecting a high level of trust among citizens and contributing to a happier society.
Overall, social support, community trust, and social connections play a crucial role in shaping global happiness, making these factors just as important as traditional measures like wealth and health.
