Finland Tops List of Happiest Countries Eighth Consecutive Times

March 22, 2025

(3 Minutes Read)

The rankings are based on survey responses, where people rate their overall life satisfaction. Researchers found that beyond economic prosperity and healthcare, factors such as social support, trust in institutions, and a strong sense of community play a pivotal role in Finland’s success.

Finland has once again secured its position as the happiest country in the world, marking its eighth consecutive year at the top of the World Happiness Report. The 2025 edition of the report, published on Thursday by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, highlights the Nordic nation’s consistent success in fostering happiness among its citizens.

Jouni Purhonen, a Helsinki resident, attributes the country’s happiness to its calm and peaceful way of life. In addition to Finland, other Nordic nations also ranked among the happiest. Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden continued to secure top spots, reinforcing the trend of high well-being in Northern Europe.

The study, conducted in collaboration with analytics firm Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, revealed some key global trends.

While European countries dominate the top 20, Costa Rica and Mexico have entered the top 10 for the first time, ranking 6th and 10th, respectively. Despite its ongoing war with Hamas, Israel secured the 8th spot in the rankings. The United Kingdom, however, dropped to 23rd place, marking its lowest ranking since 2017. The United States also saw a decline, reaching its lowest position in the history of the report.

At the bottom of the rankings, Afghanistan remains the unhappiest country, followed by Sierra Leone and Lebanon. Afghan women, in particular, reported especially difficult living conditions, according to the study.