Finland Named World’s Happiest Country for 8th Year, U.S. Ranked at 24/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Finland has been named the world’s happiest country for the eighth consecutive year in the 2025 World Happiness Report, published Thursday. Other Nordic nations—Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden—rounded out the top four. Trust, social support, and shared experiences were key factors in happiness levels worldwide. The United States dropped to its lowest-ever ranking, falling to 24th place, with researchers citing declining social connections as a factor. Meanwhile, Afghanistan remains the unhappiest country in the world, with Sierra Leone and Lebanon also ranking at the bottom.
Global Happiness Rankings – Quick Look:
- Happiest country? Finland (ranked No. 1 for the eighth year).
- Who else is in the top five? Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and Israel.
- Biggest surprise? Costa Rica and Mexico enter the top 10.
- How did the U.S. do? Dropped to 24th place—its lowest ranking ever.
- Unhappiest countries? Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, Lebanon.
- What influences happiness? Trust, social support, and shared experiences.
- What’s the biggest concern? 19% of young adults worldwide lack social support.
Finland Named World’s Happiest Country for 8th Year, U.S. Ranked at 24
Deep Look – Finland Tops Happiness Report Again as U.S. Falls to Record Low
Finland Stays on Top – Why?
According to researchers, Finland’s strong social trust, public safety, and environmental beauty make it a place where people feel secure and fulfilled.
“I always want to come back to Finland,” said Aino Virolainen, a Finnish digital commerce director. “It’s peaceful, trustworthy, and full of nature.”
What Makes People Happy?
The report highlights key happiness drivers, including:
- Trust in society – People in Finland trust each other and their institutions.
- Social connections – Strong support networks are critical to well-being.
- Community generosity – Acts of kindness improve overall life satisfaction.
- Sharing meals – Families and friends dining together correlates with happiness.
Interestingly, people in happier nations tend to believe lost wallets will be returned—a measure researchers say reflects overall societal trust.
“Nordic countries lead in both actual and expected wallet returns,” the report states.
U.S. Drops to 24th – What’s Happening?
The United States fell to its lowest ranking ever, landing at No. 24. The decline is attributed to increased social isolation and fewer shared experiences.
A concerning 53% rise in solo dining in the U.S. over the last two decades reflects a drop in community connections.
The United Kingdom also saw a decline, dropping to No. 23, its lowest since 2017.
Global Happiness Trends – Who’s Up and Who’s Down?
Moving Up:
- Costa Rica (#6) and Mexico (#10) entered the top 10 for the first time.
- Israel (#8) ranked high despite its ongoing war with Hamas.
Moving Down:
- The U.S. (#24) fell to its worst ranking ever.
- Afghanistan remains the unhappiest country due to ongoing conflict.
- Sierra Leone (#2 from the bottom) and Lebanon (#3 from the bottom) struggle with poverty and instability.
The Loneliness Epidemic
“We are underestimating the importance of social bonds,” said researcher Jon Clifton.
With loneliness rising, experts warn that building trust, fostering community, and increasing social interactions will be crucial to improving global happiness.
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