The annual World Happiness Report has revealed that India has made a modest advancement, rising from 126th place in 2024 to 118th in the latest rankings. This report, which was released on the United Nations’ International Day of Happiness, assesses the happiness levels in 147 countries by considering factors such as social support, health, freedom, generosity, perceptions of corruption, and GDP. For the eighth consecutive year, Finland has been recognized as the happiest nation, followed closely by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Finland’s high position is attributed to its robust social support systems, elevated living standards, and a favorable work-life balance. Notably, Mexico and Costa Rica have made their inaugural appearances in the top 10, securing the 10th and 6th spots, respectively. Researchers indicate that the strong familial connections and larger household sizes prevalent in Latin America play a significant role in enhancing overall happiness. The United States is positioned at 24th in 2025.
while India’s ranking of 118 signifies progress, yet it still falls behind several nations affected by conflict, including Ukraine, Mozambique, and Iraq. Among India’s neighbors, Nepal achieved the highest ranking at 92, followed by Pakistan at 109 and China at 68, while Sri Lanka and Bangladesh ranked lower at 133 and 134, respectively.India’s performance in social support is commendable, largely due to its strong family and community ties; however, it struggles with personal freedom, which reflects individuals’ perceived ability to make choices in their lives. The report also emphasized a global trust study, which included a “dropped wallet” experiment revealing that people often underestimate the kindness of strangers, as more lost wallets were returned than anticipated. Nordic countries, such as Finland, Denmark, and Sweden, excelled in both expected and actual wallet returns. Afghanistan remains the least happy country, primarily due to persistent social and economic challenges, particularly impacting women, with Sierra Leone and Lebanon following as the second and third unhappiest nations. This report was published by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network in collaboration with the Wellbeing Research Centre at Oxford University.
