Nordic Nations Lead 2025 List of Happiest Countries

Looking for a little more joy? The latest World Happiness Report has once again crowned Finland as the happiest nation on earth, followed closely by Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden. Nordic countries continue to dominate the top spots, while the United States slipped to 24th place this year.

The rankings are based on surveys of over 100,000 people across 140 countries, using the “Cantril Ladder” method, which lets individuals define what a good life means to them. Researchers highlighted the power of community and connection, noting that something as simple as sharing meals together can significantly boost well-being—while eating alone is linked to lower happiness levels.

Full list highlights: Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Netherlands, Costa Rica, and Norway lead the way in global happiness.