The World Happiness Report 2025 has been released, and once again, Finland leads as the happiest country on Earth for the eighth consecutive year. With an average score of 7.736 out of 10, Finland continues to set the global benchmark for wellbeing.
This year’s report, published on the UN’s International Day of Happiness, reveals new insights into what truly makes people happy. While economic stability and life expectancy remain crucial, researchers found that trust, kindness, and social connection play an even greater role in shaping global happiness.
The Top 10 Happiest Countries in 2025
- Finland (7.736)
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Sweden
- Norway
- Costa Rica
- Netherlands
- Switzerland
- Luxembourg
- Mexico
Notably, Costa Rica and Mexico have broken into the top 10 for the first time, while Lithuania (16th), Slovenia (19th), and Czechia (20th) continue to climb the rankings, showing a convergence in happiness levels across Eastern, Central, and Western Europe.
Meanwhile, the United States (24th) and the United Kingdom (23rd) have reported their lowest-ever happiness scores, reflecting declining social trust and growing political polarization.
Why Kindness Matters More Than Ever
One of the most surprising findings in this year’s report is that people underestimate how kind others truly are. Research on lost wallets worldwide shows that actual return rates are nearly twice as high as people expect. The countries that rank highest in happiness also have some of the highest rates of trust and generosity, reinforcing the idea that believing in the goodness of others leads to greater wellbeing.
The report also highlights the link between sharing meals and happiness. Across all regions, people who regularly dine with others report higher life satisfaction, yet in the United States, the number of people eating alone has increased by 53% over the past two decades.
Troubling Trends in Social Support
Despite positive findings, the report also raises concerns about rising loneliness and declining social trust in some parts of the world:
- 19% of young adults globally report having no one to rely on for social support, a 39% increase since 2006.
- Countries with higher acts of benevolence experience fewer deaths of despair, suggesting that generosity and social trust are key to preventing mental health crises.
- Growing political polarization and distrust in institutions are contributing to declining happiness scores in the United States and parts of Europe.
What Makes a Country Happy?
The rankings are based on a three-year average of life satisfaction surveys, with researchers analyzing factors such as GDP per capita, life expectancy, social support, personal freedom, generosity, and perceptions of corruption.
According to Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, director of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre:
“This year’s report pushes us to look beyond traditional determinants like health and wealth. It turns out that sharing meals and trusting others are even stronger predictors of wellbeing than expected.”
The 2025 World Happiness Report is a reminder that happiness isn’t just about economic prosperity—it’s about social connection, trust, and kindness. While some nations struggle with growing loneliness and distrust, others prove that investing in community and generosity leads to happier and more resilient societies.
Photo Credit: Lauri Rotko, Visit Helsinki.
