Finland has been named the happiest country in the world for the ninth year running
For the ninth year running, Finland has been named the happiest country in the world. Meanwhile, Ukraine ranked 111th out of 147 in the happiness index, the same position as last year.
This is according to the annual World Happiness Report.
The top ten is traditionally dominated by Scandinavian countries, whilst Mexico has dropped out, making way for Switzerland. Here is the top ten:
- Finland;
- Iceland;
- Denmark;
- Costa Rica;
- Sweden;
- Norway;
- Netherlands;
- Israel;
- Luxembourg;
- Switzerland.
Afghanistan remains, almost as a matter of tradition, in last place — 147th.
In the 2026 Happiness Report, researchers concluded that most Western industrialised countries are now less happy than they were between 2005 and 2010.
In eight out of ten global regions, members of the youngest age group now rate their lives higher than they did between 2006 and 2010. Young people’s well-being has declined only in Western Europe, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Negative emotions are becoming increasingly common worldwide. However, they are less prevalent among young people, with the exception of the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Meanwhile, anxiety has risen more among young people, whilst the frequency of anger has decreased among both young people and older adults.
Positive emotions continue to occur twice as often as negative ones. In all regions, with the exception of the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, positive emotions are more common among young people than among older people.
