World Happiness Report 2025 Out, India Ranked 118th, Key Insights
Deeksha Dixit22 Mar, 2025
Share
The World Happiness Report 2025 ranked 147 countries based on factors such as income, social support, life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and corruption. The University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre publishes the report. While Finland is ranked as the happiest country for the eighth time in a row, India is ranked at 118, a slight improvement from the past year.
World Happiness Report 2025 Highlights
World Happiness Report 2025, released by the Wellbeing Research Centre in collaboration with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, shows some interesting trends this year. India has climbed to the 118th position, reflecting a gradual improvement from the 126th position in the previous report.
The World Happiness Report is an annual study that assesses happiness levels across the globe using multiple indicators. It analyses economic, social, and psychological factors influencing people’s satisfaction with life. The 2025 report highlights social trust, mental well-being, and economic stability as key drivers of happiness.
| World Happiness Report 2025 Highlights | |
| Released By | Wellbeing Research Centre (University of Oxford) |
| Data Used | Gallup Analytics and UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network |
| Happiest Country | Finland ( 8th consecutive year) |
| New Entrants in the Top 10 | Costa Rica (6th) and Mexico (10th) |
| Notable Rankings | Israel (8th) Maintains a high ranking despite the conflict. |
| India’s Rank | 118th (Improved from 126th in 2024) |
| Happiness Determinants | GDP per capita, Healthy life expectancy, Social support, Freedom to make life choices, Generosity, Perception of corruption |
| Declining Happiness in the West |
USA (24th): Dropped from 11th in 2012 due to isolation UK (23rd): Lowest since 2017 |
| Least Happy Countries | Afghanistan |
World Happiness Report 2025 Ranking
World Happiness Report 2025 rankings have been released on the official website ‘www.worldhappiness.report’. The report evaluates happiness levels globally and highlights key factors that contribute to a nation’s well-being.
According to the World Happiness Report 2025, acts of kindness and social cohesion have increased, leading to a positive impact on overall well-being. The rankings in the World Happiness Report 2025 have shown some interesting trends:
-
Asia's Happiest Country: Taiwan has emerged as the happiest place in Asia at 27th rank globally.
-
United States fell to 24th: Its lowest ranking ever, reflecting growing dissatisfaction among younger populations.
-
India Improved its Position: It ranked 118th up from 126th in 2023, driven by economic growth and better perceptions of corruption.
-
Factors Influencing Rankings: Researchers highlighted that social connections, including sharing meals and building trust, are increasingly acknowledged as key factors in enhancing well-being.
The 2025 Happiness Report emphasizes that happiness is influenced by various factors beyond traditional measures like wealth and health.
Credit: Gallup© Analytics WHR Dashboard
India's Rank in the Happiness Index 2025
India’s rank in the World Happiness Report 2025 has improved to 118th, marking a positive shift. This progress is attributed to factors such as:
-
Economic growth and employment opportunities
-
Increased focus on mental health and well-being
-
Better access to healthcare and education
-
Community participation and social support initiatives
Here are some key insights from the World Happiness Report 2025 India rank
| 2025 Rank | 118 |
| Ranking on Sub-indicators |
|
| Best Rank | 94 (2011) |
| Lowest Rank | 144 (2019) |
| Comparison with Neighbors | India ranked below Pakistan (109th) and Nepal (92nd) in happiness despite stronger economic and governance indicators. |
The report highlights that addressing issues like income inequality, environmental concerns, and public trust in governance can further improve India's standing in the future.
Credit: Gallup© Analytics WHR Dashboard
Top 10 Happiest Countries in the World
The top 10 happiest countries in the World according to the World Happiness Report 2025 are:
| Rank | Country | Life Evaluation (3-year average) |
| 1 | Finland | 7.7 |
| 2 | Denmark | 7.5 |
| 3 | Iceland | 7.5 |
| 4 | Sweden | 7.3 |
| 5 | Netherlands | 7.3 |
| 6 | Costa Rica | 7.3 |
| 7 | Norway | 7.3 |
| 8 | Israel | 7.2 |
| 9 | Luxembourg | 7.1 |
| 10 | Mexico | 7.0 |
These nations excel in areas such as public welfare, work-life balance, and overall quality of life. They have strong economies, well-developed healthcare systems, and high levels of social trust.
Happiest Country in the World
Finland remains the happiest country in the world for the eighth consecutive year. Despite its harsh winters, Finland continues to top the rankings due to:
-
Strong social welfare programs
-
Low corruption levels and high public trust
-
Balanced work-life culture
-
High levels of personal freedom and equality
The Finnish government prioritizes citizen well-being, making it a model for other countries aiming to improve happiness levels. The top 5 countries in the Happiness ranking are:
Credit: Gallup© Analytics WHR Dashboard
These rankings reflect a consistent trend of Nordic countries dominating the happiness index due to their strong social welfare systems and high quality of life.
Unhappiest Country in the World
Afghanistan has been ranked as the unhappiest country in the world once again. The ongoing economic crisis, conflict, and lack of social security contribute to the nation’s low happiness score. Other nations at the bottom of the index include Sierra Leone and Lebanon, which face similar challenges related to instability and economic hardships.
Credit: Gallup© Analytics WHR Dashboard
Methodology Used in the World Happiness Report
The World Happiness Report bases its rankings on data from the Gallup World Poll and the UN SDS Network. It uses the following key indicators:
-
GDP per capita: Measures economic prosperity.
-
Social support: Assesses the level of community and family support.
-
Healthy life expectancy: Reflects access to healthcare and overall well-being.
-
Freedom to make life choices: Examines personal autonomy in decision-making.
-
Generosity: Evaluates acts of kindness and donations.
-
Perception of corruption: Measures public trust in institutions.
By analyzing these factors, the report provides a comprehensive view of happiness across different nations.
In summary, the World Happiness Report 2025 provides valuable insights into global well-being. India’s rise to 118th place is a step forward, but there is still room for improvement. The 2025 report also emphasizes that people often underestimate the kindness in their societies, affecting their own happiness.
Want to stay informed about global trends? Explore PW UPSC Courses to boost your knowledge and excel in your preparation!
World Happiness Report 2025 FAQs
What is the World Happiness Report?
How is the happiness index measured?
Which index measures happiness globally?
Which is the happiest country in Asia?
What is India's rank in the World Happiness Report 2025?
Live & recorded classes available at easeDashboard for progress trackingMillions of practice questions at your fingertips
