Finland has once again been ranked as the happiest country in the world, securing the top spot in the 2025 World Happiness Report for the eighth consecutive year. The report, sponsored by the United Nations, attributes Finland’s continued dominance to its strong social welfare system, low corruption levels, and deep connection with nature.
Nordic countries maintained their dominance in the rankings, with Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden following closely behind. Notably, Costa Rica and Mexico entered the top 10 for the first time, ranking sixth and tenth, respectively.
Meanwhile, the United States saw a significant decline, falling to 24th place—its lowest ranking ever. The report highlights a rise in social isolation, with an increasing number of Americans dining alone, which has been linked to declining well-being. It also points to a rise in “deaths of despair” from suicide and substance abuse, while such deaths are decreasing in most other countries.
Afghanistan, facing a prolonged humanitarian crisis under Taliban rule, remains the unhappiest country in the world.
The rankings are based on a three-year average of surveys measuring life satisfaction, GDP per capita, social support, life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and corruption levels.
This year’s report also underscores the impact of generosity and community trust on happiness. Researchers found that people tend to underestimate the kindness in their communities, with acts like returning lost wallets being more common than expected.
Finnish researchers suggest that factors such as a well-functioning democracy, free speech, and strong public services contribute to the country’s high happiness levels. Residents also credit Finland’s natural environment—its vast forests and over 160,000 lakes—as a key contributor to well-being.
