According to the 2025 World Happiness Report, Mexico managed to sneak into last place in the top 10 happiest countries in the world, while Costa Rica positioned itself in sixth place, standing out as the highest-ranked Latin American nation in the ranking.
For the eighth consecutive year, Finland was crowned the happiest country on the planet, according to a report published Thursday. The Nordic countries continue to dominate the top spots, with Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden rounding out the top four, maintaining the same order as in previous years.
In contrast, the United States experienced a significant decline, reaching its lowest ranking in the report's history at 24th. This decline contrasts with its best showing of 11th place in 2012. The study reveals that 53% of Americans dine alone, a metric that has increased over the past two decades and may reflect growing social isolation.
The United Kingdom, meanwhile, also saw a decline, falling to 23rd place and reporting its lowest average life expectancy assessment since 2017.
At the other end of the ranking, Afghanistan remains the unhappiest country in the world, with Afghan women highlighting that they face particularly difficult living conditions. Sierra Leone and Lebanon rank second and third among the least happy countries, respectively, reflecting the social and economic challenges these nations face.
The report, produced by the University of Oxford's Centre for Well-Being Research, remains a global benchmark for measuring well-being and happiness in more than 150 countries, analyzing factors such as social support, personal freedom, generosity, and perceptions of corruption.
