U.S. happiness plummets to all-time low while Israel rises in global rankings despite war

Finland continues its dominance, ranked as the happiest country for the eighth consecutive year, followed by other Nordic nations—Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden—who maintain their top-four positions. This annual report, conducted by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford in collaboration with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, bases its findings on people’s self-reported life satisfaction.

The study underscores that happiness is not solely dependent on wealth or economic growth but on factors like trust, social connections, and support systems. "Happiness isn’t just about wealth or growth — it’s about trust, connection, and knowing people have your back," explained Jon Clifton, CEO of Gallup. Factors such as dining with others, believing in people’s kindness, and having reliable social support significantly influence happiness levels, according to the report. Nordic countries, in particular, exhibit strong community ties, with high rates of lost wallet returns, reflecting trust in their societies.

Despite the ongoing war with Hamas, Israel achieved a notable 8th place in the rankings. This is a significant achievement given the region's conflict. Costa Rica and Mexico also saw improvements, ranking 6th and 10th, respectively. These nations have risen to the top 10 for the first time, highlighting their increasing social cohesion and happiness.

In stark contrast, the United States, once ranked as high as 11th in 2012, now finds itself at 24th place. Experts attribute this decline to factors like increased social isolation, as evidenced by a 53% rise in dining alone over the past two decades. The United Kingdom, also facing social challenges, ranks 23rd, its lowest score since 2017.

On the other end of the scale, Afghanistan holds the unenviable title of the unhappiest country in the world, followed by Sierra Leone and Lebanon. The report also reveals a worrying global trend—19% of young adults reported having no one they could rely on for support, a significant rise from 2006 levels.

The report’s findings suggest that happiness is influenced by various social and economic factors, including GDP per capita, life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and perceptions of corruption. As global happiness levels continue to fluctuate, the study emphasizes the importance of fostering trust and social bonds to improve life satisfaction worldwide.