Finland Named Happiest Country in the World for Eighth Year in a Row

Finland has been named the happiest country in the world for the eighth consecutive year in a row, according to the World Happiness Report 2025.

Other Nordic countries are also once again at the top of the happiness rankings in the annual report published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford. Besides Finland, Denmark, Iceland and Sweden remain the top four and in the same order.

Country rankings were based on answers people gave about their own lives, and the study was done in partnership with the analytics firm Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

“Happiness isn’t just about wealth or growth — it’s about trust, connection and knowing people have your back,” said Jon Clifton, the CEO of Gallup. “If we want stronger communities and economies, we must invest in what truly matters: each other.”

Experts in economics, psychology, sociology and beyond then seek to explain the variations across countries and over time using factors such as GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, having someone to count on, a sense of freedom, generosity and perceptions of corruption.

US and UK fall to their lowest-ever rankings

When it comes to decreasing happiness, the United States has dropped to its lowest-ever position at 24, having previously peaked at 11th place in 2012. As a key indicator, the report states that the number of people dining alone in the United States has increased 53% over the past two decades.

The United Kingdom, at position 23, reported its lowest average life evaluation since the 2017 report.

Despite the war with Hamas, Israel came in at 8th. Costa Rica and Mexico entered the top 10 for the first time, ranking at 6th and 10th.

Afghanistan is again ranked as the unhappiest country in the world, with Afghan women reporting their lives are particularly difficult.

So, why Finland again and again?

Well, aside from being the home of Tom of Finland…

“They’re wealthy, they’re healthy, have social connections, social support, [and] a connection with nature,” Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, professor of economics at the University of Oxford, leader of the Wellbeing Research Center and editor of The World Happiness Report, told Fortune magazine.

It comes down to simple things, like sharing meals with friends and family or having civic faith in others that lost property will be returned.

Ilana Ron Levey, managing director at Gallup, is not surprised by the results and says the stability in Nordic countries fosters a sense of well-being for residents.

“Finland is an extraordinary outlier and I think the world is really focused on understanding what is unique about Finland,” she told CNBC. She cites “a belief in others,” optimism for the future, trust in institutions, and support from friends and family as reasons why Finnish people are happier than most.

And dare we say that a sense of tolerance and inclusion contributes to the level of happiness reported. Finland regularly tops lists as being one of the most LGBTQ-friendly countries in the world.

Finland has a progressive and inclusive record on LGBTQ+ rights, including legalizing same-sex marriage and adoption, decriminalizing homosexuality, and protecting against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. 

Here’s a brief snapshot of LGBTQ+ rights and related issues in Finland:

• Decriminalization of Homosexuality: Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1971. 
• Equal Age of Consent: The age of consent is equal for both heterosexual and homosexual acts since 1999. 
• Discrimination Protections: Discrimination based on sexual orientation is illegal since 1995, and discrimination based on gender identity is illegal since 2005. 
• Same-Sex Marriage: Legalized in 2017, granting same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples. 
• Same-Sex Adoption: Full adoption rights for same-sex couples were granted in 2017. 
• Gender Identity: Transgender individuals can change sex by self-determination since 2023. 
• Registered Partnerships: Registered partnerships for same-sex couples were legalized in 2001, offering similar rights to marriage, except for taking the spouse’s surname and adoption rights. 
• Military Service: LGBT people are allowed to serve openly in the Finnish military. 

To find out more about visiting the happiest country, go here.