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Finland Tops Happiness Rankings Again; Youth Discontent Grows

3/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The 2026 World Happiness Report finds Finland the happiest country for ninth consecutive year, with Iceland and Denmark behind.
Costa Rica ranks fourth, a historic achievement for Latin America.
The report notes a decline in youth happiness in United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, with nearly one-point drops over past decade.
Experts attribute this decline largely to social media use, because negative emotions rise globally.

History

Historical Context

The World Happiness Report, first published in 2012, ranks countries based on surveys assessing life satisfaction. In 2017, Norway topped the list, emphasizing social support and income as key factors. Finland has since maintained its position as the happiest country, with a GDP per capita of $49,000. Meanwhile, rising social media use correlates with declining youth happiness in the U.S. and Canada, highlighting mental health concerns.

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Story summary

The 2026 World Happiness Report finds Finland the happiest country for ninth consecutive year, with Iceland and Denmark behind.
Costa Rica ranks fourth, a historic achievement for Latin America.
The report notes a decline in youth happiness in United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, with nearly one-point drops over past decade.
Experts attribute this decline largely to social media use, because negative emotions rise globally.

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