Finland tops world happiness index for eighth consecutive year while India climbs to 118th position in 2025

World Happiness Index: Finland again remained happy and became the happiest nation in the world. According to the eighth successive time that Finland topped the list in the United Nations' yearly World Happiness Report 2025, India too upgraded its position. World Happiness Index: Finland again topped the list of the world's happiest countries. Finland is ranked the happiest country in a series for the eighth consecutive time, the World Happiness Report says in its annual report on the United Nations International Day of Happiness. The report ranks over 140 countries based on citizens' satisfaction and the quality of life.

World happiness report relies on analysis

The World Happiness Report relies on analysis of several components, such as social support, healthcare, liberty, generosity, perceptions of corruption and gross domestic product (GDP), Fortune stated. It rates from 0 to 10 with a 10 symbolizing the ideal living standard and Finland scored 7.74 to become the happiest nation worldwide.

The happiest nations on Earth

Finland is trailed by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and the Netherlands in the top five. This year, Mexico and Costa Rica joined the top 10. Costa Rica stood at sixth place while Mexico at 10th place. The US dropped to 24th place this time, while the United Kingdom stuck at 23rd place.

Top 10 happiest countries in the world Finland

1. Finland

2. Denmark

3. Iceland

4. Sweden

5. Netherlands

6. Costa Rica

7. Norway

8. Israel

9. Luxembourg

10. Mexico

Improvement in India's position

India has moved up the list in the World Happiness Report this year. India ranked 126th in 2024 but has now climbed to 118th position in 2025. Nevertheless, the ranking leaves India behind war-torn nations such as Ukraine, Mozambique and Iraq. India has done better in social support due to family and community-oriented culture, the report says. India's ranking on the scale of individual freedom was comparatively low. The factor of freedom gauges if citizens have sufficient alternatives before them to mold their existence. Ranking of Neighboring Countries of India
Of India's neighboring countries, Nepal ranks the highest at 92nd, then Pakistan at 109th, China at 68th, Sri Lanka at 133rd and Bangladesh at 134th rank. 

The saddest nations in the world

Afghanistan has also been rated as the unhappiest nation in the world this year. In the report, Afghan women are still exposed to massive conflict, which keeps influencing their living standards. Sierra Leone and Lebanon were ranked the second and third most unhappy nations following Afghanistan. Conflict, poverty and social instability were the India has moved up the list in the World Happiness Report this year. India ranked 126th in 2024 but has now climbed to 118th position in 2025. 

 Factor of freedom gauges if citizens have sufficient alternatives

Nevertheless, the ranking leaves India behind war-torn nations such as Ukraine, Mozambique and Iraq. India has done better in social support due to family and community-oriented culture, the report says. India's ranking on the scale of individual freedom was comparatively low. The factor of freedom gauges if citizens have sufficient alternatives before them to mold their existence.

Ranking leaves India behind war-torn nations

India has moved up the list in the World Happiness Report this year. India ranked 126th in 2024 but has now climbed to 118th position in 2025. Nevertheless, the ranking leaves India behind war-torn nations such as Ukraine, Mozambique and Iraq. India has done better in social support due to family and community-oriented culture, the report says. India's ranking on the scale of individual freedom was comparatively low. The factor of freedom gauges if citizens have sufficient alternatives before them to mold their existence.