The World Happiness Report 2025 provides a detailed analysis of global happiness trends, emphasizing the role of caring, sharing, and social connections in shaping human well-being. Find out the latest news about new / old happiest country in the world below.

Published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford in collaboration with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, the report ranks countries based on citizens’ self-assessed life satisfaction and examines key factors influencing happiness.

Key Findings: A Focus on Benevolence

This year’s report highlights the profound impact of benevolent behaviors, such as helping strangers, volunteering, and charitable donations, on individual and societal happiness. Using data from the Gallup World Poll, the report shows that acts of kindness benefit both the giver and the receiver—reinforcing the idea that happiness is closely tied to social cohesion.

Global Happiness Rankings: The Nordic Consistency

The Nordic countries once again dominate the top ranks, with Finland retaining its position as the world’s happiest nation, followed closely by Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden. These nations not only report high life satisfaction but also excel in social trust, equality, and expected acts of kindness—such as the return of lost wallets, a measure used to assess perceived community benevolence.

Here are the top 15 countries ranked in the World Happiness Report 2025 based on life satisfaction:

1. Finland
2. Denmark
3. Iceland
4. Sweden
5. Netherlands
6. Costa Rica
7. Norway
8. Israel
9. Luxembourg
10. Mexico
11. Australia
12. New Zealand
13. Switzerland
14. Belgium
15. Ireland

(Canada is in 18th place; Germany is in 22nd place, UK 23rd, and US 24th place.)

These countries continue to rank highly due to factors like strong social support, high trust levels, economic stability, and overall wellbeing.

Happiness and Social Behaviors

Several insights emerge from the report regarding how happiness is shaped by human interactions:

• Helping others increases happiness: People who frequently engage in prosocial behavior—like donating, volunteering, and helping strangers—report higher levels of wellbeing.
• Social trust fosters happiness: Countries with higher levels of trust—measured by the likelihood of someone returning a lost wallet—tend to have a more equal distribution of happiness.
• Meal-sharing boosts wellbeing: Research indicates that dining with others is linked to higher happiness levels, while the rise in eating alone—especially in the U.S.—correlates with declining social wellbeing.
• Loneliness is rising among young adults: The report notes a troubling trend—a 39% increase in young adults who report having no one to count on, compared to 2006.
• Deaths of despair are lower in benevolent societies: Countries with higher levels of volunteering and charitable giving have lower rates of deaths due to suicide and substance abuse.

The Role of Trust in Politics and Society

The report also examines trust and political behavior, revealing that unhappiness and social distrust fuel populism. In societies where trust is low, people are more likely to support extreme political movements, particularly on the right. Conversely, those with higher trust levels tend to favor left-leaning politics.

The Future of Happiness Research

The 2025 report underscores the importance of measuring and promoting social connection as a key pillar of happiness. Researchers suggest that policymakers should focus on initiatives that reduce loneliness, foster community engagement, and enhance trust in institutions.

Conclusion about happiest country in the world

The World Happiness Report 2025 reinforces the idea that happiness is not just a personal pursuit but a collective experience. Benevolence, trust, and social connections are critical in shaping well-being at both individual and societal levels. As the world faces increasing social fragmentation, the report’s findings serve as a reminder that simple acts of kindness can create lasting happiness and strengthen societies.

For more details, visit the full report at worldhappiness report.