India has ranked 118th out of 147 countries in the World Happiness Report 2025, released on Thursday, March 20. The report was published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, in collaboration with Gallup, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and an independent editorial board.
Finland retained its position as the happiest country in the world, followed by Denmark and Iceland. The index evaluates countries based on various social, physical, and emotional well-being indicators.
At the bottom of the list was Afghanistan, where worsening conditions for women significantly impacted happiness levels. Sierra Leone and Lebanon also ranked among the lowest.
India’s happiness ranking has fluctuated over the years, with its lowest point at 144th in 2012 and its highest at 94th in 2022. The report assesses six primary factors contributing to happiness: social support, GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and perceptions of corruption.
India performed well in social support due to its strong community ties and family-centric culture. However, it scored poorly in the freedom category, reflecting concerns over limited individual choices and their perceived impact on life satisfaction.
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Among neighboring countries:
Pakistan ranked 109th
Nepal at 92nd
China at 68th
Sri Lanka at 133rd
Bangladesh at 134th
Notably, Costa Rica and Mexico broke into the top 10 for the first time, ranking 6th and 10th respectively. Meanwhile, the United States dropped to its lowest-ever position at 24th, with increasing concerns over unhappiness and loneliness. The United Kingdom also experienced a decline, landing at 23rd, its lowest ranking since 2017.
This year’s report placed special emphasis on the role of “caring and sharing” in influencing happiness levels. Survey questions explored whether respondents donated to others and felt supported by their communities.
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