Story perspectives

Finland Tops Happiness Rankings; Youth Well-Being Declines Globally

3/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

The 2026 World Happiness Report, published by the University of Oxford, ranks Finland as the happiest country for the ninth consecutive year, followed by Iceland, Denmark, Costa Rica, and Sweden.
The report notes a significant decline in well-being among under-25s in English-speaking countries, largely due to heavy social media use.
Teenage girls are particularly affected, with life evaluations dropping nearly one point over the past decade.
The United States ranks 23rd, Canada 25th, and Britain 29th in overall happiness.

History

Historical Context

The 2017 World Happiness Report ranked Norway as the happiest country, emphasizing social connections' role in well-being. The report highlighted challenges in mental health, particularly among youth in the U.S., which ranked 14th. This trend reflects a broader decline in happiness among under-25s in English-speaking nations, driven by social media, underscoring the urgent need for mental health initiatives.

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Story summary

The 2026 World Happiness Report, published by the University of Oxford, ranks Finland as the happiest country for the ninth consecutive year, followed by Iceland, Denmark, Costa Rica, and Sweden.
The report notes a significant decline in well-being among under-25s in English-speaking countries, largely due to heavy social media use.
Teenage girls are particularly affected, with life evaluations dropping nearly one point over the past decade.
The United States ranks 23rd, Canada 25th, and Britain 29th in overall happiness.

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