Finnish Bliss Abides Once More, Emerging as World Happiness Ranking's Frontrunner; Romania Slips to 35th Position
In a recently published World Happiness Report for 2025, Finland once again seizes the top spot for the eighth consecutive year, with an average life evaluation score of 7.736 out of 10. Following close behind are Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and the Netherlands, finishing as the top five.
However, the United States experienced a significant drop, placing 24th—its lowest ranking yet—with the United Kingdom also reporting its poorest average life evaluation since 2017, settling in 23rd position. On a positive note, Costa Rica and Mexico entered the top 10 for the first time, landing at 6th and 10th respectively.
Meanwhile, Romania slid down to a ranking of 35th, having stood at 32nd in the previous year. Despite a high of 24th in the past, Romania's position has also dipped as low as 90th. The report reveals Romania's biggest growth in 2021, followed by a steep decline in 2012.
Numerous factors have been linked to the wellbeing of individuals across global regions, particularly the shared act of meals with others. However, a press release attached to the report points out that the number of Americans dining alone has risen by 53% over the past two decades. This trend correlates with a decline in happiness and social trust, which in part explains political polarization and anti-system votes seen in the US and parts of Europe.
Delving into specifics, the World Happiness Report explores the theme of "caring and sharing." The report suggests that four to five people living together tend to enjoy the highest levels of happiness in Mexico and Europe. However, many Europeans are presently living independently, with 19% of young adults worldwide in 2023 reporting a lack of social support, representing a 39% increase compared to 2006.
The World Happiness Report, prepared annually by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford in collaboration with Gallup, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and an independent editorial board, ranks countries based on a three-year average assessment of their overall quality of life. Further insights are available in the complete 2025 World Happiness Report, accessible through the provided link.
While explicit reasons for Romania's ranking decline are not specified in the report, broader Western and European trends may explain some of the observed changes. These trends include increasing distrust, political polarization, and less social cohesion, which have raised concerns for countries like Romania, especially with regards to recent elections involving contentious candidates and allegations of electoral interference [3]. Furthermore, issues with economic stability, government effectiveness, and corruption may play a role in affected countries, although levels vary [2].
[1] Costa Rica and Mexico enter the top 10 for the first time in the World Happiness Report.[2] According to the report, Romania may face challenges in areas such as economic stability, social support, and government effectiveness.[3] The World Happiness Report suggests broader trends in Western and European nations, including growing distrust and social fragmentation, may have affected Romania’s ranking.
The World Happiness Report, in its exploration of the theme "caring and sharing", notes a higher happiness level among four to five people cohabiting in Mexico and Europe. However, the report also reveals a growing concern among young adults globally, with 19% in 2023 reporting a lack of social support, a 39% increase compared to 2006, raising questions about mental health and social connectedness. While the report does not provide explicit reasons for Romania's ranking decline, it suggests that broader trends in Western and European nations, such as growing distrust, political polarization, and less social cohesion, may have contributed to this change. This raises questions about Romania's mental health and wellness, as well as its health-and-wellness policies, in the context of decreasing social support and increasing loneliness.
