The World Happiness Report 2025 compiles subjective assessments of life satisfaction from people around the world and finds that happiness is shaped not only by economic performance, but also by social support systems and a sense of everyday security.
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BOSTON, MA (MERXWIRE) — Did you know that across the world, people’s sense of happiness is often not determined by income levels or the pace of economic growth? According to the newly released World Happiness Report 2025, when respondents reflect on their lives, they most frequently cite not material conditions, but whether they feel supported, trusted, and connected to others.
The report draws on survey data from more than 140 countries, asking individuals to rate their overall life satisfaction. The findings provide a global snapshot of how people perceive their well-being. The results suggest that countries ranking consistently high in happiness are not necessarily those with exceptional economic performance, but rather those where people hold stable and positive expectations about their living environment.
In the 2025 rankings, Finland once again placed first worldwide. Researchers note that strong institutional trust and robust social support systems help reduce anxiety when people face life changes. Denmark followed closely, known for its reliable social safety net and flexible working arrangements, which reinforce the belief that individuals will not be left alone in times of need.
Third-ranked Iceland, with its smaller population, benefits from close interpersonal relationships, where strong community ties form a foundation for well-being. Sweden, ranked fourth, has long emphasized high-quality public services and social equality, enabling people from diverse backgrounds to maintain a basic standard of living. The Netherlands, ranked fifth, stands out for its emphasis on work–life balance, allowing individuals to better align professional development with personal life.
The report further observes that although these high-ranking countries differ culturally, they share common characteristics: people tend to view society as reliable, institutions as predictable, and daily life as relatively free from prolonged isolation. The research also finds that sharing meals with others, maintaining regular social interactions, and extending basic trust toward strangers are all associated with higher happiness scores.