The 20 Happiest Countries In The World For 2025, According To A New Report

Finland just can’t quit. The 2025 World Happiness Report is out, and once again, the Nordic nation has set the gold standard for wellbeing. It has been named the happiest country in the world for the eighth year in a row.

But not every country is celebrating the results. The United States has hit a new low, falling to number 24—its worst ranking since the World Happiness Report was created in 2012.

This annual report ranks global happiness in more than 140 countries around the world. The report is based on a variety of sources including the Gallup World Poll, looking at factors like social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom from corruption, generosity and more. The report is released every year in honor of the International Day of Happiness.

This year’s top 10 list is similar to previous rankings in 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019, with many of the Nordic countries in the same high spots. Denmark again comes in at number two, followed by Iceland (number three) and Sweden (number four). Norway ranks number seven.

For 2025, Afghanistan is the unhappiest country in the world, ranking last once again.

Finland: The Happiest Country In The World

So what is Finland’s secret? “Taking care of social needs and the feeling of belonging to a community is an integral part of national character and a source of creativity,” Heli Jimenez, senior director of international marketing at Visit Finland, said it a statement.

Other reasons include a strong welfare system and a deep connection to nature. Sauna culture helps, too: Nearly 90% of Finns use saunas on a weekly basis. The country also benefits from low corruption, strong education, top-level healthcare systems and a culture that values balance over hustle.

The Finnish concept of “sisu”—a mix of resilience, determination and inner strength—also plays a major role.

And even though Finland and the Nordic countries are known for their cold and dark winters, they have long summer days that balance it out. Plus, the authors of the report point out that weather doesn’t matter as much as you might think: “Weather changes tend to have small effects on happiness, which are influenced by people’s expectations and seasonal patterns. For example, people in the tropics are found to be happier during winter but less happy during spring, compared to people in more temperate zones,” they wrote in the report.

The United States Hits A New Low

Last year, the United States came in at number 23. For 2025, the U.S. has dropped yet again, now ranking 24th. The decline is largely attributed to younger generations, who are reporting lower levels of happiness than ever before.

There are a number of issues at play, including eating alone. “In 2023, roughly 1 in 4 Americans reported eating all of their meals alone the previous day—an increase of 53% since 2003. wrote the authors of the report. “Dining alone has become more prevalent for every age group, but especially for young people.”

There’s also something that the authors of the report call “deaths of despair,” especially among younger Americans, who feel less supported and less optimistic about their standard of life. On the other hand, it’s not as bad among older Americans: The U.S. ranks 10th for happiness among adults over 60. (The happiest country for people over 60 is Denmark.)

Other Countries On The Rise

While the U.S. struggles, other nations are making gains. This year, two Latin American countries enter the top 10 for the first time, with Costa Rica at number six and Mexico at number 10.

Meanwhile, Lithuania (at number 16), Slovenia (19) and the Czech Republic (20) continue to climb the rankings, marking a shift in happiness levels across Europe.

Trends in Happiness

This year’s report also highlights some major trends shaping global happiness, from the power of social trust to the surprising role of sharing meals. It also reveals an alarming rise in loneliness—especially among young adults.

According to the report, 19% of young adults across the world report having no one they can count on for social support in 2023—a 39% increase compared to 2006. The authors of the report say that in the U.S. and parts of Europe, this may be because political polarization.

You can see the full report here. Read on for the ranking of the happiest countries in the world.

The World’s Happiest Countries In 2025

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
16. Lithuania
17. Austria
18. Canada
19. Slovenia
20. Czech Republic

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