HELSINKI — For the eighth consecutive year, Finland has been named the happiest country in the world, as declared by the World Happiness Report 2025 published this Thursday.
Nordic countries continue to dominate the top rankings for happiness, with Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden following Finland in positions two, three, and four, respectively. This annual report is a collaboration from the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford.
Aino Virolainen, who works as a digital commerce director and has lived abroad, always feels drawn back to her homeland of Finland.
“This is where I always want to come back to, and where I want my children to grow up and spend my old age,” Virolainen expressed on Thursday. The peace, tranquility, and trust, alongside the direct communication and pristine nature of Finland, make it irresistible, she believes.
The happiness rankings derive from survey responses in which individuals rate their life satisfaction. The study partners include the analytics firm Gallup and the U.N. Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
“Happiness isn’t merely a matter of wealth or economic growth—it’s rooted in trust, connection, and the assurance that there is mutual support,” noted Jon Clifton, CEO of Gallup. “Fostering stronger communities and economies requires investment in what truly matters: each other.”
The research highlights that beyond health and wealth, simpler social elements like sharing meals, reliable social support, and household size can significantly impact happiness. For example, households of four to five members in Mexico and Europe typically report higher happiness levels.
The latest data also reveal a closer link between happiness and belief in others’ kindness than previously understood. A notable indicator of general happiness is a population’s belief that lost wallets would be returned.
In this respect, Nordic countries excel in returning lost wallets, affirming the trustworthiness within their societies. According to Alexandra Peth, a managing director, these values are deeply embedded in Finnish culture.
“Trust and communal support are central to life in Finland,” Peth observed. “Our societal systems seem to foster this innate trust.”
Globally, research indicates that communities are underestimated regarding both the perceived and actual return of lost possessions, as actual return rates surpass people’s expectations by about double.
Meanwhile, the U.S. ranks at its lowest in the happiness index at position 24, having previously peaked at 11th in 2012. The report points out an alarming rise of 53% in the number of Americans dining alone over the last two decades.
The United Kingdom also reports its lowest average life evaluations since 2017, securing the 23rd spot.
On the opposite end of the happiness spectrum, Afghanistan remains the world’s least happy country, with Afghan women particularly struggling. Sierra Leone and Lebanon follow as the second and third unhappiest countries.
Notably, the study highlights a troubling trend: in 2023, nearly 19% of young adults worldwide reported lacking social support, marking a 39% increase since 2006.
The report ranks countries based on average self-assessed life evaluations collected from 2022 to 2024.
A multidisciplinary team of experts in economics, psychology, and sociology then analyzes these results with variables like GDP per capita, life expectancy, social network reliability, freedom, generosity, and corruption perception to illuminate national happiness discrepancies.
Jouni Purhonen, another resident of Helsinki, describes Finns as “remarkably calm.” “With this calmness, we are afforded the luxury to reflect and live life peacefully,” Purhonen shared.
