Finland has been crowned the planet’s happiest nation for eight years running, as stated in the World Happiness Report 2025.
Specialists point out easy accessibility to natural areas and an effective social support network as key elements.
This is followed by Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden.
These nations consistently perform strongly in indicators such as social support, trust, and general well-being.
The World Happiness Report polled over 100,000 individuals across 140 nations and regions.
“Contentment in Finland isn’t defined by unceasing happiness but rather by a feeling of safety, trust, and equilibrium in everyday living. This satisfaction stems from the assurance that assistance is available whenever required, be it via robust social welfare systems, superior educational opportunities, or proximity to natural spaces,” stated Miika Mäkitalo, CEO of
HappyOrNo
, a Finnish firm that assists companies gauge customer contentment.
Mäkitalo added: “Our community prioritizes equity and environmental responsibility, fostering a setting where individuals can flourish under supportive conditions. Initiatives like extensive paternity leave along with accessible child care services guarantee that households enjoy economic stability coupled with ample opportunities for family bonding, underscoring our broader dedication to health and harmonious professional/personal life integration.”
Eating together and having someone to lean on
Communities where individuals often have meal-sharing experiences tend to exhibit greater levels of happiness and stronger social support systems.
The sole EU nation appearing in the upper ten list is Poland, where individuals share over ten meals each week on average.
In contrast, Estonia sits at the very bottom of the list, with residents reporting just 2.7 shared meals per week.
Individuals residing solo report lower happiness levels.
In Europe, households consisting of four to five individuals report the greatest levels of happiness.
Nevertheless, loneliness amongst younger individuals is increasing, with 19% stating they have nobody to depend on — this marks a 39% rise from 2006.
A lot of younger people undervalue how understanding their contemporaries can be, causing them to steer clear of forming connections and losing chances for significant bonds.
Good deeds surged during the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to be 10% higher than before the outbreak.
It seems that donating and volunteering are more prevalent in Central and Eastern Europe, whereas sharing tangible assets is more frequent in Western Europe.
Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, who leads Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre and serves as an editor for the World Happiness Report, remarked, “This year’s report urges us to move past conventional factors such as health and wealth. Surprisingly, activities like dining together and having faith in one another emerge as more powerful indicators of happiness than previously thought.” He added, “Given today’s climate marked by loneliness and societal division, it’s essential to discover methods to gather everyone at the same table once more—this step is vital for both personal and communal wellness.”
