Released on International Day of Happiness, the World Happiness Report 2025, by Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre in partnership with Gallup and UN SDSN, ranks 140 nations on six factors including GDP, social support, freedom, and corruption. Finland tops for the 8th year; India climbs to 118th, lags behind conflict zones.
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The World Happiness Report was released on the UN's International Day of Happiness (20th March).
This report compiled by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford in partnership with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, uses data from the Gallup World Poll, where respondents rate their life quality on a 0-to-10 scale, known as the Cantril Ladder.
Methodology
It ranks 140 nations based on resident feedback, evaluating factors such as social support, health, freedom, generosity, perception of corruption, and gross domestic product (GDP).
Surveying about 1,000 people per country annually, with a total sample size exceeding 140,000 respondents.
Rankings are based on six key factors: GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom to make life choices, generosity (measured by charitable acts), and perceptions of corruption.
It also examines emotional well-being through positive and negative affect indicators, such as laughter, worry, and sadness, providing a holistic view of happiness.
Global Trends
Finland has retained its position as the world's happiest country for the eighth consecutive year.
Nordic countries dominate the top rankings, with Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and the Netherlands following closely, due to social support systems, high living standards, and a commitment to work-life balance.
The debut of Costa Rica and Mexico in the top 10, securing 6th and 10th places, respectively.
The United States dropped to its lowest ranking at 24th, and the United Kingdom is at 23rd, indicating declining happiness and social trust in some developed nations.
The report highlights the theme of "caring and sharing," studying how benevolent acts like sharing meals, helping strangers, and returning lost wallets contribute to happiness.
Unhappiest Countries
Afghanistan ranks as the unhappiest country, Sierra Leone and Lebanon follow as the second and third unhappiest country.
Progress of India
India moved up from 126th in the 2024 report to 118th in 2025, despite this progress, it ranks behind several conflict-affected countries like Ukraine, Mozambique, and Iraq.
Among neighbors, Nepal ranks highest at 92nd, followed by Pakistan at 109th, China at 68th, while Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are at 133rd and 134th, respectively.
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Consider the following statements in the context of the World Happiness Report 2025: 1. India ranks higher than both Nepal and Pakistan in terms of overall happiness. 2. China, despite its rapid economic growth, has a lower happiness ranking than India. Which of the above statements is/are correct? A) 1 only B) 2 only C) Both 1 and 2 D) Neither 1 nor 2 Answer: D Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect: Nepal ranks at 92, and Pakistan ranks at 109, both higher than India's rank of 118. Statement 2 is incorrect: China ranks at 68, which is higher than India's rank of 118. |
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