The 2025 World Happiness Report, released by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, reveals that the United States is trailing behind other countries in North America and several European countries. The report ranks countries based on factors such as inequality, generosity, freedom, life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption, with a key question asking individuals to evaluate the quality of their life on a scale of 0-10. The theme of this year’s report is the impact of caring and sharing on people’s happiness, highlighting the importance of community and social support in overall well-being.
The top 25 happiest countries according to the report include Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and the Netherlands leading the list. The United States, on the other hand, has ranked low in happiness in recent years, despite being the 11th happiest country in 2011. The study also ranked the U.S. as the 115th freest country, questioning participants on their satisfaction with their freedom to choose what they do with their lives. Despite its low happiness and freedom ranking, the U.S. boasts a high GDP per capita and is ranked fourth in GDP, along with rankings of 12th and 16th in social support and generosity.
The study points to declining well-being in the United States due to a number of factors, including the increasing number of people eating alone. This decline in happiness and social trust may also contribute to rising political polarization and votes against the system. In contrast, Finland has consistently ranked at the top of the World Happiness Report since 2018, attributed to its universally available and high-quality health, education, and social support systems. The country also has low levels of inequality in well-being, contributing to overall happiness.
The Nordic countries, including Finland, continue to lead the annual happiness rankings, with other countries such as Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden also ranking highly. The study’s key insights highlight the importance of community and social support in overall well-being, with Finland standing out for its health, education, and social systems. The report also notes that the Nordic countries rank among the top places for expected and actual return of lost wallets, indicating a high level of trust and honesty within these societies.
Overall, the 2025 World Happiness Report emphasizes the importance of caring and sharing in contributing to people’s happiness around the world. While some countries like Finland and other Nordic countries excel in providing universal health, education, and social support systems that contribute to overall well-being, other countries like the United States struggle with declining well-being indicators despite high GDP. The report serves as a reminder of the importance of community, social support, and trust in fostering happiness and overall well-being among populations globally.
