Finland Has Once Again Been Crowned The World's Happiest Country

Finland has once again been crowned the world's happiest country, marking its eighth consecutive year at the top of the World Happiness Report. The 2025 edition, published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford in collaboration with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, highlights Finland's consistent commitment to well-being and societal trust.

What Makes Finland So Happy?

Several key factors contribute to Finland's sustained happiness ranking:

• High Levels of Trust: Finnish society exhibits strong trust in public institutions and among individuals. This trust extends to everyday situations, such as the high likelihood of lost wallets being returned to their owners.

• Robust Social Support Systems: Finland offers universally accessible healthcare, education, and social services, ensuring a safety net for all citizens.

• Balanced Lifestyle: The Finnish lifestyle emphasizes work-life balance, with a focus on outdoor activities and community engagement, contributing to overall well-being.

• Shared Meals and Social Connections: Regular communal dining is common in Finland, fostering strong social bonds and contributing to mental health. The 2025 report notes that sharing meals is linked to greater happiness and reduced feelings of isolation.

Source: Statista

The 2025 World Happiness Report also highlights the performance of other countries:

• Top 10 Happiest Countries: Following Finland are Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Costa Rica, Norway, Israel, Luxembourg, and Mexico.

• United States: The U.S. has fallen to its lowest-ever position at 24th place, with increasing rates of people dining alone noted as a contributing factor.

• Least Happy Countries: Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the rankings, followed by Sierra Leone and Lebanon.

Finland's continued dominance in the World Happiness Report underscores the importance of trust, social support, and community engagement in fostering national well-being. As other nations seek to improve their happiness rankings, Finland serves as a model for policies and cultural practices that prioritize the holistic health of its citizens.