Finland has once again topped the global happiness rankings, securing the number one spot for the eighth consecutive year. The UN-sponsored World Happiness Report credits the country’s strong social support system, deep connection to nature, and high levels of trust.
Nordic countries dominated the top ranks, while Costa Rica and Mexico made their first appearances in the global top 10. Meanwhile, the U.S. and U.K. dropped to their lowest positions ever at 24th and 23rd. A surprising global wallet-return experiment showed strangers were twice as kind as people expected—linking kindness with happiness more than ever before.
Researchers say that shared meals, larger households, and belief in others play a major role in life satisfaction worldwide. As the report suggests, happiness may not just be about where you live, but how deeply you connect with those around you.