The Happiest Country on Earth (Again!): Finland's Eighth Consecutive Year at the Top
Finland has once again taken the top spot in the World Happiness Report, a position it has held for eight consecutive years. The report, which ranks countries based on self-assessed life evaluations, also highlights the importance of access to nature, strong welfare systems, and social connections in achieving happiness.World Happiness ReportThe World Happiness Report is a leading publication on global wellbeing, combining data from 140+ countries with expert analysis. Published annually by the University of Oxford's Wellbeing Research Centre and partners, the report provides insights on happiness and wellbeing, empowering individuals to create positive change.The report's global happiness ranking is based on a single question from the Gallup World Poll, using the Cantril Ladder scale, which asks respondents to rate their life from 0 (worst possible) to 10 (best possible)The top 10 happiest countries in the world, according to the 2025 World Happiness Report :-Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Netherlands, Costa Rica, Norway, Israel, Luxembourg, and Mexico. Other countries mentioned in the report include the United Kingdom, which ranked 23rd, and the United States, which ranked 24th, marking its lowest-ever position.The Secret to Finland's SuccessSo, what sets Finland apart from the rest of the world? According to experts, it's a combination of factors, including a strong belief in others, optimism for the future, trust in institutions, and support from friends and family. Finland's unique approach to education, which emphasizes equity and inclusivity, is also mentioned as a key factor in its success.The report also highlights the importance of social connections in achieving happiness. In fact, sharing meals with others was found to be strongly linked with wellbeing across the globe. In contrast, the report notes that Americans are spending more and more time dining alone, with roughly 1 in 4 reporting eating all their meals alone in 2023.A New Era of HappinessThis year's report also saw some newcomers to the top 10 list, including Costa Rica and Mexico. According to social science researcher and consultant Ron Levey, these countries demonstrate that you don't need to be one of the world's wealthiest countries to make people happy. "High life evaluation is possible when basic economic needs are being met," she says.The report also explores the role of trust and kindness in achieving happiness. In a unique experiment, researchers deliberately lost wallets in various countries and measured how many were returned. The results showed that strangers are about twice as kind as people think, and that belief in the kindness of others is more closely tied to happiness than previously thought.As the world continues to navigate the challenges of the 21st century, the World Happiness Report offers a timely reminder of the importance of prioritizing happiness and wellbeing. By showing the importance of social connections, trust, and kindness, we can create a more compassionate and equitable world for all.
