Finland and other Nordic countries continue to dominate the index, with Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and the Netherlands rounding out the top five in the 2025 World Happiness Report. Meanwhile, the United States has dropped to its lowest position ranking 24th amid increasing social isolation and political polarization. Costa Rica, Norway, Israel, Luxembourg, and Mexico also made it into the top 10.
The report, released Thursday by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford in collaboration with Gallup and the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, assesses happiness levels across 147 countries based on factors such as health, wealth, freedom, generosity, and perceptions of corruption.
Researchers highlighted growing unhappiness in the US, pointing to a sharp rise in social isolation. The report noted that in 2023, one in four Americans reported eating all their meals alone the previous day—a 53% increase since 2003. This trend was particularly noticeable among younger generations.
Another concern was the persistence of "deaths of despair"—fatalities linked to suicide, drug overdoses, and alcohol-related illnesses—which remain high in the US despite declining globally. Since 2000, such deaths have fallen by 75% across 59 countries but remain prevalent in nations like South Korea and Slovenia.
The report also suggested that rising unhappiness contributes to increasing political extremism, a trend observed in both the US and parts of Europe. Researchers found that unhappy individuals with low trust in others tend to gravitate toward far-right politics, while those with high trust lean toward the far left.
At the bottom of the index, Afghanistan ranked last, followed by Sierra Leone, Lebanon, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Yemen, Comoros, and Lesotho.
Mexico’s entry into the top 10 was attributed to strong family bonds and communal living. The report emphasized the benefits of sharing meals and living in larger households, noting that these factors significantly impact well-being—on par with income and employment status.
A key takeaway from the findings was the correlation between happiness and trust. The report highlighted that people in high-ranking nations were more likely to believe a lost wallet would be returned, a seemingly small act that reflects deeper societal trust and cohesion.
Jon Clifton, CEO of Gallup, underscored the broader significance of these findings, stating: “Happiness isn’t just about wealth or economic 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.”
The highest-ranking countries shared common traits, including strong social support networks and robust safety nets, reinforcing the importance of social cohesion in fostering long-term well-being.