WORLD HAPPINESS REPORT 2025
The rankings are primarily based on data from the Gallup World Poll, which surveys people in over 140 countries. The core metric is the Cantril Ladder question, where respondents rate their current lives on a scale from 0 (worst possible life) to 10 (best possible life). The national happiness ranking is the average of these self-assessed life evaluations over a three-year period (e.g., the 2025 report uses data from 2022–2024).
To explain variations in these scores, the report correlates them with six key variables:
- GDP per capita: Economic prosperity as a measure of income and living standards.
- Social support: The perception of having someone to count on in times of need.
- Healthy life expectancy: Years of life expected in good health.
- Freedom to make life choices: The sense of autonomy individuals feel.
- Generosity: Measured by donations or acts of kindness, often self-reported.
- Perceptions of corruption: Trust in institutions and absence of corruption
The 2025 report, released on March 20, 2025, ranks 147 countries. Here are some highlights based on available data:
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- Finland (7.736) – Eighth consecutive year at #1, driven by strong social support and trust.
- Denmark (consistent Nordic strength).
- Iceland.
- Sweden.
- Netherlands.
- Costa Rica (first-time top 10, strong social networks).
- Norway.
- Israel.
- Luxembourg.
- Mexico (first-time top 10, high optimism).
- Notable Rankings:
- United States: 24th (lowest ever, down from 23rd in 2024), attributed to declining social trust and youth happiness.
- United Kingdom: 23rd (lowest since 2017).
- India: 118th (lower than neighbors like Nepal and Pakistan, linked to mental health challenges).
- Afghanistan: 147th (least happy, reflecting conflict and instability)
- These countries have strong, diversified economies with high GDP per capita (e.g., Norway: ~$106,000, Denmark: ~$68,000, PPP-adjusted, 2025 IMF estimates).
- Wealth from natural resources (e.g., Norway’s oil) and innovation-driven industries (e.g., Sweden’s tech sector) is redistributed effectively.
- Low income inequality (Gini coefficients around 0.25–0.28) ensures prosperity is widely shared, unlike in countries with similar GDP but higher disparities (e.g., U.S., Gini ~0.41)
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Nordic nations
The Nordic countries are a group of nations in Northern Europe and the North Atlantic, known for their shared historical, cultural, and geographical ties. The term "Nordic" comes from "Norden," meaning "the North" in Scandinavian languages, reflecting their location in the northern part of Europe
The Nordic countries are typically defined as five sovereign nations that share linguistic roots (Germanic languages), a history of Viking influence, and a modern commitment to social democracy. They are:
Additionally, three autonomous territories are often included in the broader "Nordic region" due to their political and cultural ties to these nations:
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For Prelims: Current events of national and international Significance
For Mains: General Studies II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources
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