New Delhi, March 19: Finland has once again secured the title of the world’s happiest country in the 2026 World Happiness Report, marking its ninth consecutive year at the top. The report, released by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, ranks 147 countries based on key factors such as GDP per capita, social support, life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and corruption levels.

Nordic nations continue to dominate the rankings, with Iceland and Denmark following Finland in second and third place. These countries consistently perform well due to strong welfare systems, high trust in institutions, and better quality of life. However, the biggest surprise this year is Costa Rica, which climbed to fourth place, becoming the first Latin American country to break into the top five. Experts credit its strong community bonds and focus on social well-being over material wealth. World Happiness Report 2023: Finland Ranks as World’s Happiest Country for Sixth Consecutive Year, Here's Where India Stands.

India has shown slight improvement in the 2026 rankings, moving up to 116th position from 118th last year and 126th in 2024. Despite this progress, India still trails behind some of its neighbors. Pakistan ranked 104th, while Nepal performed better at 99th. India’s challenges remain in areas like social support, inequality, and overall life expectancy, although it scored relatively better in personal freedom and perceived corruption. World Happiness Report 2023: Finland Declared Happiest Country Sixth Time in a Row.

The report also highlights a growing “youth happiness” concern globally. Young people, especially in countries like the United States (23rd) and the United Kingdom (29th), are reporting lower life satisfaction. Researchers link this decline to excessive social media usage, particularly on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, which may negatively impact mental health.

At the bottom of the list, Afghanistan remains the least happy country, followed by Sierra Leone and Malawi. The findings underline how conflict, instability, and economic hardship continue to shape global happiness levels.

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