Finland tops the 2025 World Happiness Report for the 8th Year – but Its key ingredient isn’t money
For the eighth year running, Finland has claimed the title of the world’s happiest country in the 2025 World Happiness Report (WHR), proving that prosperity isn’t rooted in wealth alone. With its vast forests, low inequality, and culture of trust, the Nordic nation has redefined well-being.
Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, professor of economics at the University of Oxford, leader of the Wellbeing Research Centre and editor of The World Happiness Report, underscores Finland’s success, in an interview with Fortune, stating:
“They’re wealthy, they’re healthy, have social connections, social support, [and] a connection with nature. They’re not happy, joyful, dancing-in-the-streets type people, but they’re very content with their lives.”
Key Finnish Success Factors:
- 97% trust in national government (OECD average: 51%).
- 90% of Finns feel they have someone to rely on during crises.
- 77% spend time in nature weekly, linked to lower stress.
- Education system: Ranked among the world’s best, emphasising free tuition and teacher autonomy.
- Low income inequality: The highest-paid 10% earn 33% of income (vs 46% in the US).
Why equality matters:
As Danny Dorling, University of Oxford professor, explains:
“When a small number of people become much richer, the rest fear being left behind. Finland’s smaller wealth gap fosters collective security. Source: The Conversation:
De Neve adds:
“Finland’s reign boils down to one thing: They’re content with less. They’re happier with what they’ve got.”
Africa’s Ubuntu contrast: Lessons in community
While Finland thrives on institutional trust, Africa’s happiness narrative leans on communal bonds. South Africa, ranked 95th globally, shows hidden progress in annual data despite its three-year average decline.
Professor Talita Greyling, a wellbeing economist at the University of Johannesburg, explains:
“The data the WHR uses is a three-year rolling average, but if you look annually, things are improving here. We have Ubuntu—Africans share meals and care for each other. These are lessons for the world.” Source: WHR Africa Launch
South Africa’s Hidden Progress (GNH Today Project):
- 7% year-on-year rise in life satisfaction (2024).
- 68% reported social support during crises (up from 61% in 2023).
- 73% shared meals weekly with family/neighbors (global average: 54%).
Africa’s Rising Stars:
- Libya (79th): Youth-focused education reforms post-conflict.
- Mauritius (78th): Eco-tourism and stable governance.
- Algeria (84th): Healthcare and renewable energy investments.
Greyling urges policymakers:
“Ubuntu isn’t just culture—it’s survival. Libya prioritised youth education, and it worked. SA must amplify these networks, not replace them.”
The US decline: A cautionary tale of isolation
In stark contrast, the United States fell to 24th place—its lowest ever—with researchers linking the slump to eroding social connections.
Key Findings:
- 53% surge in solo dining over 20 years.
- 1 in 4 Americans ate all meals alone in 2023.
- Declining trust in institutions and rising political polarisation.
John Helliwell, WHR founding editor, previously warned:
“The decline in social trust and rising loneliness in the US are red flags. Happiness thrives where people feel connected, not just prosperous.”
Global takeaways: How to build happier societies
The 2025 WHR underscores universal lessons for nations grappling with isolation and inequality:
- Invest in Social Infrastructure: Parks, libraries, and community centers foster interaction.
- Reduce Inequality: Finland’s income gap is among the world’s smallest.
- Preserve Nature: Access to green spaces correlates with higher life satisfaction.
- Share Meals: Cultures eating together—from Finnish family dinners to South Africa’s braais—report higher joy.
Success Stories:
- Costa Rica: Abolished its military in 1949, redirecting funds to education and ecotourism.
- Mexico: Family-centric policies and cultural festivals strengthen community bonds.
The Bottom Line
From Nordic forests to African villages, the 2025 WHR proves happiness is a collective effort—not a solo pursuit. As Greyling notes:
“GDP measures profit, not people. The future belongs to those who invest in each other.”
About The World Happiness Report
Published annually by the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre – in partnership with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network – the World Happiness Report (WHR) ranks life satisfaction across 140+ nations.
🌱 At its core? The Cantril ladder—a groundbreaking survey method asking people to imagine their lives on a scale from 0 (worst possible) to 10 (best possible).
This simple yet profound tool uncovers global trends in well-being, equity, and progress toward sustainable futures. (🔍 Explore Explore the methology here).
“Where do you stand on the ladder?” 🌍✨
2025 Top 10 Happiest Countries:
- Finland
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Sweden
- Netherlands
- Costa Rica
- Norway
- Israel
- Luxembourg
- Mexico
Watch the launch of The State of Happiness in 2025 below:
