Finland Tops World Happiness Report Again, U.S. Falls to 24th; Canada Stands at …

For the eighth consecutive year, Finland has claimed the top spot in the World Happiness Report, maintaining its reign as the happiest country on the planet. Meanwhile, Canada secured 18th place, holding steady despite a decade-long decline in happiness levels. In contrast, the United States recorded its lowest ranking yet, slipping to 24th, reflecting growing social and political dissatisfaction.

The 2025 World Happiness Report, released on March 20 to mark the United Nations International Day of Happiness, ranks countries based on average life evaluations over the past three years (2022-2024). The report draws on data from Gallup World Poll and evaluates six key factors: GDP per capita, social support, life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and corruption perceptions.

Nordic countries once again dominate the list:

• Finland leads at No. 1, praised for its robust social support systems, high-quality healthcare, and low inequality.

• Denmark and Iceland retain their second and third spots, respectively, while Sweden holds fourth place.

• Norway ranks seventh, highlighting the region’s consistent happiness levels.

Latin American nations also made notable gains. Costa Rica (No. 6) and Mexico (No. 10) entered the top 10 for the first time, attributed to strong social networks and public confidence in leadership and economic direction.

Top 10 happiest countries in the world

• Finland

• Denmark

• Iceland

• Sweden

• Netherlands

• Costa Rica

• Norway

• Israel

• Luxembourg

• Mexico

Canada, at No. 18, remains among the world’s 20 happiest nations, though it continues to grapple with a gradual happiness decline over the past decade. Analysts attribute this trend to factors such as rising living costs, housing challenges, and growing public frustration with government policies.

The United States, which once ranked consistently in the top 20, fell to 24th place—its lowest position yet. The report highlights growing dissatisfaction among young Americans, particularly those under 30, who report feeling less supported by family and friends, less free to make life choices, and increasingly pessimistic about their future.

Other English-speaking nations faced similar challenges. The United Kingdom ranked 23rd, marking its lowest life evaluation score since 2017.

India has made a slight improvement in its happiness quotient, moving up from 126 in 2024 to 118 in the latest World Happiness Report, 2025. However, this ranking still places India behind several conflict-affected countries, including Ukraine, Mozambique, and Iraq.

Interestingly, India excelled in social support, thanks to its strong community-focused culture and tradition of larger families living together. On the other hand, India scored poorly on the freedom factor, which assesses whether individuals feel they have choices in their society and if those choices lead to a satisfactory life.

Among India’s neighboring countries, Nepal ranked the highest at 92, followed by Pakistan at 109, China at 68, while Sri Lanka and Bangladesh ranked lower at 133 and 134, respectively.