Finland Tops World Happiness Report 2026, India at 116th

According to the World Happiness Report 2026 released on 19 March, 2026, Finland remains the happiest country in the world in 2026 as well, retaining the top position for the ninth consecutive year.

Finland reported an average life evaluation score of 7.764 out of 10 this year, which is 0.375 points higher than last year.

Nordic countries - Iceland (at second position), Denmark (at third position), Sweden (at fifth position), and Norway (at sixth position) are also included in the top 10 happiest countries in the world in 2026.

India's position in World Happiness Report 2026

India improved its ranking from 126th in 2024 to 118th in 2025, climbed two positions this year and is now at 116th position with a life evaluation score of 4.536.

Among neighboring countries, India is behind Pakistan (104th position) and Sri Lanka (99th position), while ahead of Bangladesh (127th position) and Afghanistan (147th position).

Ranking of India's neighboring countries in World Happiness Report 2026

China – Rank 65 (6.074)

Nepal – Rank 99 (5.147)

Pakistan – Rank 104 (4.868)

Sri Lanka – Rank 134 (4.013)

Bangladesh – Rank 127 (4.319)

Top 10 happiest countries in the world in World Happiness Report, 2026

Costa Rica has been the best performing country this year; it has steadily climbed from 23rd position in 2023 to reach fourth position in 2026, which is its highest ranking so far.

Switzerland, after slipping to 13th position last year, has returned to the top 10 this year by reaching 10th position.

World Happiness Report 2026: 10 least happy countries in the world

Only a few English-speaking countries are included in the top 20: New Zealand is at 11th position, followed by Ireland at 13th and Australia at 15th position. On the other hand, the USA is at 23rd position, Canada at 25th position and the UK at 29th position.

Amid rising geopolitical tensions, 79 countries have recorded a significant increase in happiness levels from the baseline period of 2006–2010 to 2023–2025.

About World Happiness Report 2026

The 'World Happiness Report' is published by the 'Wellbeing Research Centre' of Oxford University in partnership with Gallup, the United Nations' 'Sustainable Development Solutions Network' (SDSN), and an independent editorial board.

Since the year 2024, this report has been prepared by this group, which mainly uses data from the 'Gallup World Poll'.

Most of the credit for the World Happiness Report, and the growing interest in happiness research, goes to Bhutan. They sponsored resolution 65/309 (Happiness: towards a holistic approach to development), which was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 19 July, 2011.

On 28 June, 2012, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 66/281, which declared 20 March as the International Day of Happiness, to be celebrated every year. On 2 April 2012, the first World Happiness Report was presented at a high-level meeting titled 'Defining a New Economic Paradigm'.