Finland has ranked as the world’s happiest country for the ninth year in a row, according to the latest World Happiness Report, with Nordic nations continuing to dominate the top positions.
The report, supported by the United Nations and compiled by researchers at the University of Oxford, places Iceland second and Denmark third, while Costa Rica rises to fourth place, marking its highest position to date. Sweden ranks fifth and Norway sixth, meaning all Nordic countries appear within the top ten.
The ranking draws on survey data in which respondents assess their own lives on a scale from zero to ten. Finnish respondents gave an average score of 7.8, one of the highest recorded in the study. Iceland and Denmark follow with scores close to 7.5.
The report uses a three-year average of responses to measure life satisfaction. It also considers factors such as income per person, life expectancy, social support, perceived freedom and levels of corruption, though final rankings rely on individuals’ own evaluations.
Costa Rica stands out as the fastest climber in recent years. The country ranked 23rd in 2023 but has since moved into fourth place, overtaking several European nations. Switzerland returns to the top ten after a year outside the leading group.
No English-speaking country appears in the top ten for the second year running. The United States ranks 23rd, while the United Kingdom places 29th and Canada 25th.
Israel ranks eighth despite ongoing regional aggression during the period covered by the data. Iran stands at 97th, while Ukraine, which continues to face war following Russia’s invasion, ranks 111th. Russia is placed 79th.
At the bottom of the ranking are countries in Africa and the Middle East. Afghanistan remains last with an average score of 1.4. Sierra Leone and Malawi follow, while Zimbabwe and Botswana also appear among the lowest-ranked nations.
The report also examines the impact of social media on well-being, with a focus on younger age groups. It finds that problematic use of social platforms links to lower levels of well-being, particularly among girls. Platforms that support direct social interaction show a more positive association in some regions, including parts of Latin America.
In Finland, more than 92 per cent of people aged 16 to 24 use social media, along with over 74 per cent of those aged 25 to 64. Researchers note differing effects depending on how platforms are used and the type of content consumed.
HT