What makes a country truly happy? Is it wealth, social support, or something deeper like trust and community? The happiest countries in the world are ranked each year in the World Happiness Report, a global benchmark that measures well-being, life satisfaction, and social connection.
In 2025, the rankings once again highlighted a strong performance by colder, Nordic countries, but also revealed new trends, with countries like Costa Rica and Mexico climbing into the top 10. This article breaks down the metrics used to measure happiness and profiles the top 20 happiest countries in the world.
How the World Happiness Report Measures Happiness
The World Happiness Report, published by University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre in partnership with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, measures the world’s happiest countries.
It mainly uses a tool called a Cantril Ladder, which is a widely used 0-to-10 scale for measuring subjective well-being and life satisfaction where respondents rate their lives on a scale from 0 (“worst possible life”) to 10 (“best possible life”). Scores are averaged over three years (for example, 2022 to 2024 is used for the 2025 rankings).
Six factors or metrics are used to determine which countries rank highest, including:
- GDP per capita: The report’s findings suggest that the richest countries in the world tend to have higher levels of well-being due to the resources and opportunities that economic growth provides.
- Healthy life expectancy: A long life expectancy, particularly when remaining in good health throughout, correlates to happiness. This factor highlights the importance of access to quality healthcare and preventative measures, as these elements enable citizens to achieve longer and healthier lifespans, which in turn enhances their well-being and life satisfaction.
- Social support: This relates to having people to lean on in times of trouble. Social connections are vital for the well-being of especially young adults, providing a buffer against stress and increasing the likelihood of a person flourishing.
- Freedom to make life choices: This indicator reflects how much a country’s residents feel they have the autonomy to make important decisions that align with their values and life goals.
- Generosity: Participation in acts of charitable giving and sharing. Countries with higher levels of generosity, reflected in factors like international aid and volunteering, are often among the happiest.
- Perceptions of corruption: General views on the honesty and integrity of government and public life. When people in a country perceive higher levels of corruption, their overall happiness tends to be lower.
Aside from looking at the above subjective well-being factors, the World Happiness Report also incorporates objective indicators like health and income to provide a complete look at which are the happiest countries in the world.
Top 20 Happiest Countries in the World
01/ Finland
Snowy winters, endless summer days, and thousands of lakes form the backdrop to life in Finland (which also makes it one of the most sustainable countries), the nation that once again tops the World Happiness Report for the eighth year in a row. Citizens give their lives an average score of 7.736 on the Cantril Ladder, the highest in the world. Researchers attribute this enduring success to a strong social safety net, free education, universal healthcare, and high healthy life expectancy.
Finns also place a premium on community trust and equality, with corruption levels among the lowest of any country in the world. Outdoor traditions such as sauna culture and hiking help to foster resilience, while government policies are designed to uphold the common good which, in turn, supports high life satisfaction. The combination of governance, social support, and cultural balance ensures that Finland remains the benchmark for the world’s happiest countries.
02/ Denmark
In Denmark, happiness is woven into both the overall culture and governance, from cycling through Copenhagen to people enjoying the Danish concept of hygge. According to the World Happiness Report, Danes report exceptional life satisfaction, which is supported by universal healthcare, free higher education, and generous parental leave. The Gallup World Poll shows high levels of trust in institutions, low corruption, and strong freedom to make life choices, all of which create a positive correlation with people’s happiness.
With a healthy life expectancy well above the global average and a focus on equality, Denmark demonstrates how Nordic countries combine prosperity and social cohesion. Its policies not only reduce negative emotions but also foster a strong sense of community, keeping Denmark consistently among the world’s happiest countries.
03/ Iceland
Iceland proves that even a small country can deliver world-class happiness. With fewer than 400,000 residents, it ranks in the top three of the World Happiness Report, driven by remarkable levels of trust and social support. Survey information shows Icelanders report some of the lowest rates of negative emotions globally, supported by universal healthcare, long healthy life expectancy, and inclusive policies that prioritize equality. It also helps that Iceland consistently ranks among the top ten safest countries in the world year after year.
04/ Sweden
Geothermal energy and dramatic natural landscapes are not only national symbols but also integral to daily life and identity. A culture that values community, gender equality, and transparency ensure high happiness levels. The Icelandic economy has the fifth highest nominal GDP per capita ($91,000) and fourteenth highest GDP per capita by PPP ($81,000). In 2025 Iceland also topped the Human Development Index. Iceland serves as an example that illustrates how tight-knit societies is crucial to achieving high gross national happiness, making it one of the most admired happiest countries in the world.
From Stockholm’s vibrant city life to its vast forests and lakes, Sweden offers a model of balance between prosperity and sustainability. Citizens enjoy a healthy life expectancy, universal healthcare, and education that foster high life satisfaction. The Gallup World Poll highlights Sweden’s strong social support and low corruption, with people consistently reporting trust in institutions. Sweden (and its neighbors) often also rank as some of the safest countries for women to live and travel in alone.
Cultural values like lagom (a.k.a. living in moderation) encourage balance in both work and personal life. As one of the standout Nordic countries, Sweden demonstrates how equality, environmental responsibility, and governance together can help to sustain high happiness levels. In the World Happiness Report, Sweden continues to show that both policy and culture matter when measuring overall happiness.
05/ The Netherlands
With canals, colorful tulip fields, and a famously bike-friendly culture, the Netherlands is a country where lifestyle and infrastructure go hand in hand with wellbeing. Dutch children consistently rank among the happiest in the world, reflecting family-friendly policies and safe communities. Citizens enjoy a high GDP per capita, universal healthcare, and strong social safety nets that reduce inequality.
The World Happiness Report highlights the Dutch emphasis on freedom to make life choices and trust in institutions, both of which contribute to life satisfaction. Sustainability and urban planning also play key roles, reinforcing the positive correlation between quality of life and happiness. The Netherlands remains a shining example of how community, governance, and culture support the world’s happiest countries.
06/ Costa Rica
Few countries embody happiness like Costa Rica, where the motto Pura Vida (meaning “pure life”) reflects a cultural focus on optimism and resilience. Instead of maintaining a military, Costa Rica invests in healthcare, education, and the environment, creating a strong social safety net. Citizens enjoy high life satisfaction and a healthy life expectancy that rivals wealthier countries.
According to the World Happiness Report, strong social support and community bonds help reduce negative emotions. Survey information also shows Costa Ricans feel free to make life choices, with trust in both family and institutions driving people’s happiness. Costa Rica proves that happiness isn’t only incumbent on a high GDP per capita but also about prioritizing the common good and community well-being.
07/ Norway
In Norway, prosperity is not just about wealth but how it’s shared. Oil revenues are invested in one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, securing benefits for future generations and supporting a robust social welfare system. Citizens report high life satisfaction, trust in government, and strong social support, according to the Gallup World Poll.
The tradition of friluftsliv (meaning outdoor living) reflects a cultural connection to nature that reduces negative emotions and supports wellbeing. A long healthy life expectancy, excellent healthcare, and education contribute further to happiness. Norway’s model highlights a positive correlation between governance, equality, and the happiness rankings, keeping it firmly among the world’s happiest countries.
08/ Israel
A vibrant culture, close-knit families, and strong community ties all contribute to Israel’s position among the happiest countries in the world. Citizens enjoy high life satisfaction, driven by excellent healthcare, a long healthy life expectancy, and innovative industries.
According to survey information from the Gallup World Poll, Israelis report high levels of social support and resilience, even in the face of an ongoing offensive. Cultural traditions, community gatherings, and a culture that revolves around a love of food reinforces a strong sense of belonging. This social fabric reduces negative emotions and supports overall happiness. Israel shows that resilience, culture, and trust in relationships can maintain high happiness levels, making it one of the most unique cases in the World Happiness Report.
09/ Luxembourg
Luxembourg demonstrates how even a small country can deliver exceptional wellbeing when prosperity is matched with inclusivity. With one of the highest GDP per capita numbers within the world happiness rankings, citizens enjoy top-tier healthcare, education, and social services.
Its multicultural population benefits from strong social support and high life satisfaction, according to the World Happiness Report’s findings. Trust in government and low corruption also contribute to overall happiness levels. Despite its size, Luxembourg thrives as a hub of culture, finance, and governance, showing a positive correlation between equality, prosperity, and people’s happiness.
10/ Mexico
Mexico’s vibrant traditions, strong family networks, and cultural pride push it into the top 10 of the world’s happiest countries for the first time in 2025. According to the World Happiness Report, citizens report high life satisfaction, supported by strong social support from family and community.
Festivals, music, and cuisine foster a sense of belonging that helps reduce negative emotions despite national challenges. Improvements in healthcare and a rising healthy life expectancy strengthen security for many citizens. The Gallup World Poll highlights freedom, resilience, and optimism as key factors behind Mexico’s high happiness levels, making it one of the most notable risers in the happiness rankings.
11/ Australia
Sunny beaches, outdoor lifestyles, and cultural diversity all contribute to Australia’s high life satisfaction. Citizens enjoy universal healthcare, free education, and a healthy life expectancy that consistently ranks above the global average. According to the World Happiness Report, Australians report strong social support, freedom to make life choices, and low levels of negative emotions.
Cities like Sydney and Melbourne are often considered among the most livable in the world, reflecting the positive correlation between infrastructure and wellbeing. Australia’s combination of prosperity, inclusivity, and culture ensures it remains one of the world’s happiest countries.
12/ New Zealand
New Zealand’s happiness stems from its breathtaking natural landscapes, inclusive policies, and cultural respect for Māori traditions. Citizens report high life satisfaction, strong social support, and long healthy life expectancy, supported by universal healthcare.
Survey information highlights freedom, equality, and trust in government as driving factors behind its placement in the happiness rankings. The emphasis on sustainability and outdoor living reduces negative emotions and strengthens people’s happiness. New Zealand demonstrates that smaller countries can still achieve world-class overall happiness through resilience and community focus.
13/ Switzerland
Switzerland blends natural beauty with governance and prosperity, creating a stable foundation for happiness levels. Citizens benefit from high incomes, universal healthcare, and long healthy life expectancy, all of which support high life satisfaction.
The World Happiness Report highlights Switzerland’s strong social support, low corruption, and tradition of direct democracy. Outdoor culture, from skiing to hiking, reinforces a strong relationship with nature and community. With its consistent position in the world happiness rankings, Switzerland shows how prosperity and trust can reduce negative emotions and sustain overall happiness.
14/ Belgium
Belgium offers a unique mix of cultural richness, prosperity, and community that strengthens wellbeing. With a high GDP per capita, excellent healthcare, and a long healthy life expectancy, citizens report consistently high life satisfaction.
Survey data shows Belgians enjoy strong social support and trust in institutions, both crucial in the happiness rankings. A thriving cultural scene — from cuisine to festivals — reinforces people’s happiness and reduces stress. Belgium demonstrates a positive correlation between inclusive governance, community ties, and sustained happiness levels.
15/ Ireland
Ireland blends rapid economic growth with deep cultural traditions, earning it a spot in the top 20 happiest countries in the world. According to the World Happiness Report, Irish people score highly on life satisfaction, citing strong social support, universal healthcare, and a long healthy life expectancy. Trust in government and freedom to make life choices also feature prominently in the country’s strong happiness rankings.
For those inspired to relocate, Ireland also welcomes entrepreneurs through the Ireland Start-Up Entrepreneur Visa (STEP), which provides a renewable residence permit to innovators with viable business plans. More broadly, Europe’s happiest nations often provide pathways to settle through Residency by Investment programs, giving expats and investors a chance to experience the high quality of life that places these countries among the world’s happiest.
16/ Lithuania
Lithuania has become the leading nation in the Baltic Sea region, demonstrating how reforms and resilience can boost happiness levels. Over the past decade, it has steadily improved in the world happiness rankings, with higher life satisfaction, stronger governance, and increased safety.
Highlights for Lithuania include rising healthy life expectancy and stronger social support systems. Citizens report lower negative emotions and more optimism for the future, reflecting a positive correlation between reform and people’s happiness. Lithuania proves that smaller countries can make significant gains in overall happiness through community and effective governance.
17/ Austria
Austria’s mix of Alpine landscapes, cultural heritage, and social stability makes it a consistent presence among the happiest countries in the world. Citizens enjoy high GDP per capita, excellent public services, and a long healthy life expectancy. You’ll also find Austria to be one of the safest countries in Europe, further helping to boost happiness.
Strong social support and trust in government reinforces high life satisfaction. Austrian culture places importance on balance, with traditions in music, outdoor living, and community gatherings reducing negative emotions. This combination of prosperity, heritage, and community spirit explains Austria’s continued success in the happiness rankings.
18/ Canada
Canada consistently performs well in the World Happiness Report, thanks to high life satisfaction, strong social support, and one of the world’s longest healthy life expectancies. Canadians report high levels of trust in institutions and freedom to make life choices, supported by universal healthcare and inclusive governance.
The Gallup World Poll also highlights low levels of corruption and strong community engagement as factors behind Canada’s position among the world’s happiest countries. For newcomers, the Canada Start-Up Visa Program offers a direct route to permanent residency for entrepreneurs who secure support from a designated venture capital fund, angel investor group, or incubator. This policy aligns with Canada’s reputation as both a hub of opportunity and a society deeply invested in collective well-being.
19/ Slovenia
Slovenia, nestled between the Alps and the Adriatic, makes the top 20 for the first time in the World Happiness Report. Citizens enjoy a high healthy life expectancy, strong social support, and safe communities that foster high life satisfaction. Retirees also enjoy a satisfactory and joyful life in Slovenia, ranking 7th in the Global Citizen Solutions’ Global Intelligence Unit’s 2025 Retirement Report offering a high quality of life and integration into society for expats.
Survey information highlights low corruption and trust in government, while cultural traditions and environmental stewardship enhance wellbeing. Despite being a small country, Slovenia demonstrates that sustainability and focus on the common good can drive overall happiness. Its rise in the happiness rankings reflects a positive correlation between governance, culture, and people’s happiness.
20/ Czechia (Czech Republic)
Czechia completes the top 20 with a story of steady improvement. Once outside the top 30, it has risen in the world happiness rankings thanks to economic growth, safety, and governance reforms. Citizens report higher life satisfaction, stronger social support, and increasing healthy life expectancy.
There is a growing trust in institutions and declining negative emotions which is encouraging a more optimistic outlook. Rich cultural traditions in Prague and beyond add to a strong sense of community. Czechia’s progress shows how reforms, resilience, and culture can together support people’s happiness and overall wellbeing.
