World Happiness Report 2026

World Happiness Report 2026

• The World Happiness Report 2026 was released, highlighting global trends in well-being and the negative impact of social media.
• The report notes that 79 countries recorded improvements in happiness levels despite rising geopolitical tensions.

About the Report

•  The report is published by the Wellbeing Research Centre, University of Oxford.
•  It is prepared in partnership with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN SDSN).
•  Rankings are based on self-assessment surveys of ~100,000 people across 140 countries.
•  Around 1,000 respondents per country are surveyed annually via phone or face-to-face interviews.

Key Indicators of Happiness

•  Having someone to count on (social support).
•  GDP per capita (economic well-being).
•  Healthy life expectancy.
•  Freedom to make life choices.
•  Generosity.
•  Freedom from corruption.

Global Rankings Highlights

•  Finland remains the happiest country for the ninth consecutive year.
•  Nordic countries like Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway dominate the top 10
• Costa Rica rises to 4th position, driven by strong social connections.
•  Switzerland re-enters the top 10 at 10th position.
•  No English-speaking country is in the top 10 for the second consecutive year.

Performance of Major Countries

•  New Zealand (11th), Ireland (13th), Australia (15th) are among top English-speaking performers.
•  USA ranks 23rd, Canada 25th, and UK 29th, reflecting declining well-being trends.
•  Afghanistan remains the unhappiest country, followed by Sierra Leone and Malawi.

India’s Performance

•  India improved its rank from 126th (2024) to 116th (2026).
•  The life evaluation score stands at 4.536.
•  Indicates gradual improvement but still relatively low global ranking.

Key Takeaways

•  Happiness depends on both economic and social factors, not just income.
•  Rising social media use is emerging as a major public health concern.
•  India shows improvement but must address inequality and social well-being gaps.
•  Policymaking must balance digital exposure with mental health safeguards.
• The World Happiness Report 2026 highlights that while global happiness levels are improving, challenges such as social media impact, inequality, and geopolitical instability continue to shape well-being outcomes, underscoring the need for holistic and inclusive policy interventions. GOVERNANCE Why is Rajasthan’s property Bill drawing