The US fell to its lowest-ever rating within the 2025 version of the World Happiness Report amid rising social isolation and political polarisation, whereas Finland and different Nordic international locations remained on the prime of the index.
Printed on Thursday by the Wellbeing Analysis Centre on the College of Oxford in partnership with Gallup and the United Nations Sustainable Improvement Options Community, the report evaluates varied components, together with well being, wealth, freedom, generosity, and freedom from corruption, to measure total happiness throughout societies based mostly on self-reported assessments from 147 international locations.
Finland continued within the prime spot this 12 months, adopted by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Costa Rica, Norway, Israel, Luxembourg, and Mexico.
On the backside of the index, Afghanistan ranked the bottom, adopted by Sierra Leone, Lebanon, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Yemen, Comoros and Lesotho.
America ranked twenty fourth, one spot decrease than final 12 months, persevering with its downward trajectory from a excessive of eleventh place in 2012, when the survey started.
The report highlighted rising unhappiness within the US, noting an growing desire for consuming alone.
“In 2023, roughly one in 4 Individuals reported consuming all of their meals alone the day before today – a rise of 53 p.c since 2003,” the report said.
“Eating alone has grow to be extra prevalent throughout all age teams, however particularly amongst younger individuals.”
The report additionally pointed to an increase in “deaths of despair” within the US, which contradicts a worldwide downward development. Since 2000, such deaths have declined by 75 p.c throughout 59 international locations, although they continue to be excessive in nations like South Korea and Slovenia.
Researchers urged that rising unhappiness could contribute to rising political polarisation – a development additionally noticed in Europe.
“The decline in life satisfaction explains the general rise in anti-system votes, however belief in others then comes into play. Amongst sad people drawn to the extremes of the political spectrum, these with low belief are extra typically discovered on the far proper, whereas high-trust people are extra inclined to vote for the far left,” the report famous.
The sense of social isolation within the US contrasts with international locations like Mexico, which broke into the record of prime 10 happiest international locations this 12 months. In response to the report, components reminiscent of often sharing meals and residing in bigger households contribute to wellbeing.
“Sharing meals has a powerful affect on subjective well-being – on par with the affect of revenue and unemployment,” the World Happiness Report said. “That is true throughout ages, genders, international locations, cultures, and areas.”
Bigger households additionally “supply a possible benefit in fostering constructive social interactions”, which can clarify why Mexico and Costa Rica – ranked sixth this 12 months – rating as extremely as many European international locations regardless of having decrease total wealth, in response to the report.
“Latin American societies, characterised by bigger family sizes and robust household bonds, supply beneficial classes for different nations in search of greater and extra sustainable wellbeing,” the report added.
One other key discovering was the robust correlation between happiness and the assumption that somebody would return a misplaced pockets. Whereas seemingly a small act, Jon Clifton, CEO of Gallup, emphasised that it displays deeper societal forces.
“Happiness isn’t nearly wealth or financial progress – it’s about belief, connection, and understanding individuals have your again,” he stated within the report. “If we wish stronger communities and economies, we should put money into what really issues: one another.”
Social cohesion and a strong social security internet had been widespread traits of the highest-ranking international locations.
