The World Happiness Day is celebrated every year on March 20. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in June 2012, World Happiness Day aims to make people realise the importance of happiness and well-being in their lives. On this occasion, the World Happiness Report conducted by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network was released today (March 20). The report rates countries based on various criteria including social support, income, life expectancy, and corruption levels, among others.
Let’s checkout the top 10 happiest countries in the world and where does India stands, as per the World Happiness Report 2025.
Top 10 happiest countries in the world
1. Finland
This year too, Finland topped the chart as the happiest country in the world for the eight consecutive year. “Finland is an extraordinary outlier and I think the world is really focused on understanding what is unique about Finland,” said Ilana Ron Levey, Managing Director at Gallup. She further said “a belief in others,” positivity for future, support from friends and family are some of the reasons that make Finnish people the happiest in the world. “I think another important point about Finland is that there is less well-being inequality within the country as compared to a country like the United States… In Finland, there’s more of a consensus about feeling good about your life,” Ron Levey added.
2. Denmark
Denmark stands as the second happiest country in the world.
3. Iceland
Then comes Iceland at number three on the World Happiness Report 2025.
4. Sweden
Sweden stands at number four on the World Happiness Report 2025.
5. Netherlands
Netherlands stand
6. Costa Rica
At number 6, we have Costa Rica. It is noted that Costa Rica made it to the happiest country list for the first time.
7. Norway
Norway stands at number 7 on the happiest country list as per the World Happiness Report 2025.
8. Israel
Israel stands at number 8 on the happiest country list as per the World Happiness Report 2025.
9. Luxembourg
Luxembourg reached number 9 on the happiest country list as per the World Happiness Report 2025.
10. Mexico
Mexico stands at number 10 on the Happiest Country list, entering the list for the first time.
It is noted that Costa Rica and Mexico made it to the top 10 list for the first time. Commenting on this, Ron Levey said that one shouldn’t be a wealthy country to be happy. “High life evaluation is possible when basic economic needs are being met… One message for all countries is that wealth is insufficient for your population to feel happy about their lives and to have strong life evaluation,” she said.
Where does India stand on the World Happiness Report 2025
As per the World Happiness Report 2025, India continues to remain at 118th rank out of 147 countries. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom is at the 23rd position, the United States at 24th, China stands at the 68th position, Nepal at 92nd, and Pakistan at 109th. Afghanistan is positioned last on the World Happiness Report 2025.
For the research, countries were rated on various criteria like GDP per capita, life expectancy, social support, freedom, etc.