Finland is the happiest country in the world, Vietnam is in the top 2 in Southeast Asia in terms of happiness index.

The capital Helsinki is considered the economic and cultural center of Finland - Photo: TL

According to Vietnam News Agency, on March 20, the Happiness Research Center of Oxford University (UK) released the World Happiness Report 2025.

Finland tops the list of happiest countries

This ranking is based on people's answers about their own lives. Research and implementation by the analysis company Gallup and the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

Accordingly, Finland is honored as the happiest country in the world for the 8th consecutive year.

Also in the top 4 happiest countries in the world are Nordic countries such as Denmark, Iceland and Sweden.

These are also the countries that maintain the happiness index, regularly appearing at the top of the rankings.

In the top 20 happiest countries in the world, European countries dominate.

Despite facing a conflict with the Hamas Islamist movement in the Gaza Strip, Israel still ranked 8th in the rankings.

Costa Rica and Mexico entered the top 10 for the first time, ranking 6th and 10th.

The United States fell to 24th place, its lowest ranking ever. According to the report, the number of Americans dining alone has increased by 53% over the past two decades.

At the bottom of the list of the happiest countries in the world continues to be Afghanistan.

Ranking second and third from the bottom are the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Republic of Lebanon.

View of the Swedish capital Stockholm - Photo: TL

Happiness index in Vietnam continuously increases

In recent years, Vietnam is one of the countries with a continuously increasing happiness index ranking, especially in the last 3 years.

This year, Vietnam ranked 46th out of 143 countries and territories, up 8 places compared to 2023.

Previously, Vietnam ranked 77th in 2021. By 2022, it rose to 65th and reached 54th in 2023.

In Southeast Asia alone, Vietnam ranks second only to Singapore.

Young people on a spring trip in the year of the Snake 2025 - Photo: QUANG DINH

"Happiness is not just measured by wealth, but also by feeling trusted, connected and knowing that people have your back," said Jon Clifton, CEO of Gallup.

The researchers found that in addition to health and wealth, some simple factors that influence happiness include sharing meals with others, having someone to count on for social support, and household size.

Belief in the kindness of others is strongly linked to happiness. Research shows that a worrying 19% of young people worldwide (2023 survey) do not know who to turn to for social support, up from 39% in 2006.

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HOAI PHUONG - VNA