World Happiness Report 2025

• 24 Mar 2025

Source: IE 

The Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford in partnership with Gallup, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UNSDSN) has published the World Happiness Report (WHR) 2025 on World Happiness Day (20th March). 

Key Highlights of WHR 2025 

• Happiest Countries: Finland (8th consecutive year), followed by Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden. 
• India’s Ranking: 118^th  (2025), 126^th in 2024.  
  • South Asian Nations Ranking: Nepal (92^nd), Pakistan (109^th),  Myanmar (126^th), Sri Lanka (133th), Bangladesh (134th). 
• Bottom Countries: Afghanistan (147^th) (4^th consecutive year). Others include Sierra Leone (146^th), Lebanon (145^th), Malawi (144^th), and Zimbabwe (143^rd). 

About Methodology of WHR:  

• The rankings are based on a 3-year average of people’s life evaluations in which respondents rate their current life on a ladder scale from 0 to 10.  
• The happiness score is determined by 6 key indicators:  GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and perceptions of corruption. 
• Determinants of Happiness: Trust, social connections, shared meals, and communal kindness play a crucial role in happiness, often outweighing wealth. 

World Happiness Day:  

• Origin & Initiative: Initiated by Bhutan, which has prioritized Gross National Happiness (GNH) over GDP since the 1970s. 
• UN Recognition: Adopted by the UN General Assembly in July 2012, designating 20th March as the World Happiness Day. 
• Theme 2025: "Caring and Sharing" 

Read More: World Happiness Report 2023