There are 195 countries in the world (193 UN member states plus two observer states). However, not all are included in global happiness rankings. The World Happiness Report, one of the most widely cited assessments of national wellbeing, surveys more than 140 countries through data collected by the Gallup World Poll.
Published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, in collaboration with the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), the World Happiness Report ranks nations primarily based on self-reported life evaluations. It also weighs six key variables: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and perceptions of corruption.
Top 10 Happiest Countries in 2025
Here are the ten nations with the highest average life-evaluation scores, according to the 2025 World Happiness Report:
| Rank | Country | Happiness Score (life evaluation) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finland | 7.736 |
| 2 | Denmark | 7.521 |
| 3 | Iceland | 7.515 |
| 4 | Sweden | 7.345 |
| 5 | Netherlands | 7.306 |
| 6 | Costa Rica | 7.274 |
| 7 | Norway | 7.262 |
| 8 | Israel | 7.234 |
| 9 | Luxembourg | 7.122 |
| 10 | Mexico | 6.979 |
How the Happiness Index Works
1. Survey Methodology:
- The report mainly relies on the Gallup World Poll, which asks participants in each country to evaluate their own lives on a “Cantril ladder” scale from 0 (worst) to 10 (best).
- On average, about 1,000 respondents per country are surveyed, and the data is weighted to represent the national population.
- To reduce the effect of short-term events (like economic shocks or crises), the report uses a three-year average of survey responses.
2. Six Key Factors:
In addition to self-reported life evaluation, each country’s score is analyzed using six factors:
- GDP per capita (material wealth)
- Social support (whether people feel they have someone to rely on)
- Healthy life expectancy (health and longevity)
- Freedom (the perceived freedom to make life choices)
- Generosity (donations, altruistic behavior)
- Perceptions of corruption (trust in institutions)
3. Analysis and Reporting:
The data is analyzed by the Wellbeing Research Centre (Oxford) and SDSN, with input from an expert editorial board. The report is published annually to coincide with the United Nations’ International Day of Happiness (March 20).
Why This Matters
- Not just money: While wealth (GDP) plays a role, the happiest countries also excel in social trust, health, and community engagement.
- Stable happiness: By averaging data over three years, the report aims to reflect long-term wellbeing rather than momentary highs or lows.
- Policy implications: Governments, NGOs, and international bodies use this data to understand which social or economic factors contribute most to national wellbeing — helping guide public policy and development goals.
- Cultural insights: Countries like Costa Rica and Mexico, which are not among the wealthiest globally, show that strong social connections and generosity can significantly support national happiness.
