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Finland tops World Happiness rankings again; India ranks below Pakistan

Meanwhile, the United States recorded its lowest-ever position, ranking 24th.

A woman enjoys a sunny and frosty day on the embankment of the South Harbour in Helsinki, Finland. (AP photo)

For the eighth consecutive year, Finland has been named the happiest country in the world, according to the World Happiness Report 2025, published Thursday by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford. Other Nordic nations—Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden—also retained their top positions, highlighting the strong social support systems and quality of life in these countries.

The rankings are based on people’s self-assessed life evaluations, compiled through surveys conducted by Gallup in partnership with the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

“Happiness isn’t just about wealth or growth — it’s about trust, connection and knowing people have your back,” Jon Clifton, CEO of Gallup, said, according to AP. “If we want stronger communities and economies, we must invest in what truly matters: each other.”

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India ranks below Pakistan

India ranked 118th on the happiness index, while neighbouring Pakistan stood at 109th. Despite facing significant economic and social challenges, Pakistan’s relatively higher ranking suggests a stronger sense of social support among its citizens, as per the report’s analysis.

Also Read: | The trap of global rankings

US falls to lowest-ever rank

While European nations dominated the top 20, some shifts were notable. Costa Rica (6th) and Mexico (10th) entered the top 10 for the first time.

Meanwhile, the United States recorded its lowest-ever position, ranking 24th.

In 2012, the country had peaked at 11th. The report attributes this decline partly to an increase in social isolation, with the number of people dining alone rising by 53% over the past two decades, AP reported. Similarly, the United Kingdom saw its lowest happiness score since 2017, ranking 23rd.

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Afghanistan: The unhappiest country

For the fourth consecutive year, Afghanistan (ranked 147th) remains the unhappiest nation in the world. Afghan women reported particularly harsh living conditions. Other countries at the bottom include Sierra Leone (146th), Lebanon (145th), Malawi (144th), and Zimbabwe (143rd), according to AP.

Also Read: | Year Ender 2024: How did India rank on global social indexes this year

Social support and trust: Key to happiness

Researchers noted that beyond economic and health factors, simple lifestyle elements—like sharing meals, having a dependable support system, and household size—play a crucial role in overall happiness.

For instance, in Mexico and Europe, a household size of four to five people is associated with the highest levels of happiness, the report found. The belief in kindness also emerged as a significant factor: societies where people expect lost wallets to be returned tend to report higher happiness levels.

Top 10 happiest countries in 2025:

Finland
Denmark
Iceland
Sweden
Netherlands
Costa Rica
Norway
Israel
Luxembourg
Mexico

Bottom five countries:

Zimbabwe (143)
Malawi (144)
Lebanon (145)
Sierra Leone (146)
Afghanistan (147)

(With inputs from AP, The World Happiness Report)

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