India secured 126th position out of 143 countries in World Happiness Report (WHR) 2025, with a happiness score of 4.054. The report, published annually by Wellbeing Research Centre at University of Oxford, evaluates nations based on various indicators of happiness, life satisfaction, and well-being.
Key Highlights of World Happiness Report 2025:
Top 10 Happiest Countries (Global Rankings):
Finland is ranked as happiest country in world for eighth consecutive year, with an average score of 7.7.
Other countries in the top 10 include:
- 2nd: Denmark
- 3rd: Iceland
- 4th: Sweden
- 5th: Netherlands
- 6th: Costa Rica (entered top 10 for the first time)
- 7th: Norway
- 8th: Israel (despite ongoing conflict)
- 9th: Luxembourg
- 10th: Mexico (also entered the top 10 for the first time)
Bottom Rankings:
- Afghanistan and Lebanon were ranked as the two unhappiest nations, scoring 1.7 and 2.7, respectively. Afghan women reported increasingly difficult living conditions.
- Sierra Leone was ranked as the second-unhappiest country, followed by Lebanon in third from the bottom.
US and UK Rankings:
- United States dropped to its lowest-ever position (24th), down from its highest position of 11th in 2012. This decline is attributed to rising social isolation, with a 53% increase in people dining alone.
- United Kingdom, ranked 23rd, reported its lowest life evaluation score since 2017.
India’s Performance and Neighbouring Countries:
- India ranked 126th, with an average life evaluation score of 4.054.
- Over the years, India’s ranking has fluctuated, with its highest position being 94th and its lowest 144th.
- India is ranked lower than countries like Libya, Iraq, Palestine, and Niger.
- Neighbouring Countries’ Rankings: China: 68; Pakistan: 109; Bangladesh: 134; Nepal: 92 and Sri Lanka: 133.
Key Global Findings:
- Older Age and Happiness: Older people tend to report higher life satisfaction in countries like India.
- Factors Influencing Happiness:
- Sharing meals with family/friends.
- Social support (having someone to count on).
- Household size (in Mexico and Europe, a household size of four to five people predicts higher happiness).
- Belief in kindness: People’s belief in others returning lost wallets is a strong predictor of happiness. Nordic countries rank highest in this aspect.
- Global Trends: 19% of young adults globally reported lacking social support in 2023, a 39% increase compared to 2006.
About World Happiness Report (WHR):
- The World Happiness Report is published annually by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford.
- It is created in collaboration with the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and Gallup Analytics.
- The report is launched every year on March 20, which is observed as the International Day of Happiness. This day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012, following a resolution initiated by Bhutan to recognize happiness and well-being as universal goals.
- Positive and Negative Emotions Mapping: The report also examines positive and negative emotions to evaluate overall national happiness.
- The report considers six key explanatory factors for happiness:
- Social support
- GDP per capita
- Healthy life expectancy
- Freedom
- Generosity
- Perception of corruption