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US Ranks 23rd in Happiness; Teens Struggle Amid Social Media

3/19/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The World Happiness Report 2026 finds that the United States ranks 23rd globally, a slight improvement from last year.
Youth well-being has sharply declined, particularly among teenage girls, attributed to heavy social media use.
Finland remains the happiest country for the ninth consecutive year, with Costa Rica rising to 4th place.
The report states algorithm-driven platforms are linked to lower happiness levels.

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Story summary

The World Happiness Report 2026 finds that the United States ranks 23rd globally, a slight improvement from last year.
Youth well-being has sharply declined, particularly among teenage girls, attributed to heavy social media use.
Finland remains the happiest country for the ninth consecutive year, with Costa Rica rising to 4th place.
The report states algorithm-driven platforms are linked to lower happiness levels.