Imagine living in a country where happiness is a routine!
Marrakech – For the 8th year in a row, Finland has claimed the top spot in the World Happiness Report.
Not far behind, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden also made their way into the top 10.
The Nordic nations’ dominance? No surprise there, according to Ilana Ron Levey, managing director at Gallup.
These countries are all about stability, and they make sure their people are well taken care of.
“Finland is an extraordinary outlier and I think the world is really focused on understanding what is unique about Finland,” she says to CNBC.
Her take? Finnish happiness comes from a deep trust in others, optimism about the future, faith in institutions, and, of course, the support of friends and family.
How do they measure happiness, you ask?
Well, researchers at Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre look at life evaluations, GDP per capita, social support, life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and corruption (or the lack thereof).
But it all starts with one simple question: On a scale from zero to ten, how’s life treating you?
Ron Levey thinks there’s another secret to Finnish happiness: kindness.
“Good deeds also boost the happiness of the giver, and it’s not just about the recipient,” she says.
Meanwhile, the US isn’t exactly climbing the happiness ladder — it’s slipping.
After ranking No. 23 last year, it dropped to No. 24, with young people feeling worse than ever.
“They’re feeling less supported by friends and family, less free to make life choices, and less optimistic about their living standards,” Ron Levey explains.
And if you’ve ever eaten dinner alone and felt a little…off, you’re not imagining things.
The report found that Americans are dining solo more than ever — 1 in 4 reported eating every meal alone last year, a 53% increase since 2003.
“Happiness is so much more about trust, social connections, relationships, and all these different dimensions — not just GDP or higher salaries,” Ron Levey says.
But money isn’t everything. For the first time, Costa Rica and Mexico made the top 10, proving you don’t need to be rich to be happy.
“High life evaluation is possible when basic economic needs are being met,” Ron Levey adds.
“One message for all countries is that wealth is insufficient for your population to feel happy.”
Coming in at No. 2? Denmark. No shocker there — it’s been in the top 10 for over a decade.
Like Finland, Denmark has a strong social safety net, deep community ties, and optimistic young people.
“They have high marks for benevolence and believe in the fundamental goodwill of others,” Ron Levey says.
So, what’s the takeaway? Happiness isn’t just about money — it’s about trust, generosity, and the people you share your table with.
