For the eighth consecutive year, Finland tops the ranking as the happiest country in the world, according to the recently published World Happiness Report 2025. The Nordic region once again dominates the list, reflecting the strong social cohesion and well-being standards prevalent in these countries.
Finland leads, followed by Denmark and Iceland
The latest report, underscores Finland’s consistent performance with a happiness score of 7.75 out of 10, based on surveys conducted between 2022 and 2024. Denmark follows closely, maintaining its second-place position, while Iceland secures third place. Sweden ranks fourth, and Norway, despite being the lowest among its Nordic neighbors, still places an impressive seventh.
The report emphasizes the Nordic countries‘ high levels of mutual trust, efficient welfare systems, and strong community networks as pivotal factors contributing to their happiness. According to Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, Professor of Economics at the University of Oxford and co-editor of the report,
“They have a lot of resources, and crucially, they share them equally.”
Community, care, and solidarity key to happiness
The 2025 report focuses significantly on the roles of care and solidarity within communities, highlighting that countries fostering supportive environments exhibit greater resilience and overall happiness. The Nordic model, renowned for its robust social welfare and equitable distribution of resources, exemplifies this principle effectively.
Countries like Costa Rica (ranked 6th) and Mexico (ranked 10th) demonstrate that wealth alone isn’t a determinant of happiness. “These nations maintain strong familial and community ties, significantly enhancing their residents’ satisfaction,” explains De Neve.
Growing global anxiety impacts overall happiness
Conversely, the report also highlights a worldwide increase in anxiety and stress, largely attributed to geopolitical tensions. The United States, for instance, falls to its lowest-ever position at 24th place, reflecting growing dissatisfaction, especially among younger Americans.
At the other end of the spectrum, Afghanistan remains the least happy nation, registering a notably low happiness score of 1.36.
The top 10 happiest countries in 2025:
- Finland
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Sweden
- Netherlands
- Costa Rica
- Norway
- Israel
- Luxembourg
- Mexico
The annual World Happiness Report, produced in collaboration with Gallup, Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, was released on the International Day of Happiness, celebrated by the United Nations every 20th March.
