1 / 10Finland is the Happiest Country Again: Finland has been ranked as the happiest country in the world for the eighth consecutive year, according to the 2025 World Happiness Report. Other Nordic nations, including Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden, continue to occupy the top positions in the rankings.
2 / 10How the Happiness Index is Determined: The rankings are based on people’s self-reported life satisfaction, measured through surveys conducted in 147 countries. The study is carried out by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford in collaboration with Gallup and the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network. The report considers key indicators such as health, wealth, generosity, social connections, and governance.
3 / 10The United Kingdom and the United States Drop in Rankings: The United Kingdom is ranked 23rd, marking its lowest position since 2017. The United States has dropped to 24th place, its lowest ranking since the report began in 2012. The US had previously ranked as high as 11th place in 2012. The decline is attributed to rising social isolation, growing political divisions, and a decreasing sense of trust in institutions.
4 / 10India Ranks Below Pakistan in Happiness: India ranks 118th on the happiness index, while Pakistan is ranked higher at 109th. Despite facing economic and social challenges, Pakistan’s ranking suggests a relatively stronger social support system compared to India. Both countries remain low in the overall happiness rankings.
5 / 10Social Isolation in the United States: The report highlights an increase in social isolation in the US, with a significant rise in the number of people eating meals alone. In 2023, one in four Americans reported eating all their meals alone on the previous day. This represents a 53% increase since 2003. The study suggests that a lack of regular social interactions, such as shared meals, contributes to declining happiness levels. (Image Pixabay)
6 / 10Trust and the Return of Lost Wallets: The report identifies a strong connection between happiness and trust in society, as demonstrated by the likelihood of lost wallets being returned. Finland ranks among the top countries for both the expected and actual return of lost wallets, indicating a high level of social trust. India ranks much lower in both categories, which may contribute to its lower happiness score.
7 / 10Meal Sharing and Wellbeing in India: India ranks 132nd in meal sharing, with an average of four shared meals per week. The report emphasises that regularly sharing meals with family or friends strengthens social bonds and positively impacts wellbeing. Countries with higher meal-sharing rates tend to report higher levels of happiness.
8 / 10Household Size and Social Support: In many Asian and African countries, including India and Pakistan, large multi-generational households are common. Data from the United Nations indicates that over half of households in these countries consist of multiple generations living together. The study suggests that living in larger households may provide greater emotional and social support, contributing to overall happiness.
9 / 10Declining Life Satisfaction in the United States: The report highlights a rise in “deaths of despair” in the US, which include deaths related to suicide and substance abuse. While such deaths have decreased in many countries, they have increased in the US. Political polarisation and declining trust in institutions are also cited as contributing factors to falling life satisfaction in the country.
10 / 10Afghanistan is the Least Happy Country: Afghanistan remains the lowest-ranked country on the happiness index. It is followed by Sierra Leone, Lebanon, and Malawi. The report attributes Afghanistan’s ranking to ongoing conflict, economic instability, and humanitarian challenges. These factors have contributed to widespread hardship and low life satisfaction among its citizens.
