Finland Tops World Happiness Rankings for 8th Consecutive Year, India Places 118th
Finland has secured its position as the world's happiest country for the eighth consecutive year, according to the World Happiness Report 2025. Released on International Day of Happiness (March 20), the report evaluates 147 countries based on citizen surveys and social factors.
Reindeer sledding in Finnish forest
The assessment, conducted by Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, considers factors like social support, freedom, generosity, income, and health through self-reported life evaluations.
Nordic countries continue to dominate the top positions:
- Finland
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Sweden
Nordic flags flying against blue sky
These nations excel due to their quality healthcare, robust social support systems, economic stability, and strong connection with nature. Finland's success is attributed to its clean air, pure water, Northern Lights, and extensive sauna culture.
Smiling Finnish children in group
India has improved its position from 126th to 118th place, though still ranking below Ukraine (111th) and Pakistan (109th). India shows strength in specific areas:
- 57th in donations
- 10th in volunteering
- 74th in helping strangers
- 115th in wallet return honesty
Smiling Finnish people celebrating together
Key happiness factors include:
- Strong social support networks
- Active community engagement
- Trust in community
- Optimal household size (4-5 members)
Crowd waves flags in Finland crowd
Notable rankings include:
- Israel (8th)
- Costa Rica (6th)
- Mexico (10th)
- United States (24th, lowest ever)
The least happy countries are:
- Afghanistan (147th)
- Sierra Leone (146th)
- Lebanon (145th)
While India shows promising signs in generosity and volunteering, there's significant room for improvement in overall happiness metrics. The country's journey toward greater happiness may require balanced focus on social policies, mental well-being, and community engagement.