Swedes happy but Finland happiest again

Last year, Sweden came in fourth place in the UN-sponsored report that measures the population's perceived happiness. This year, we, the blue and yellow, have to settle for fifth place. But we're ahead of Norway, which is in sixth place.

As usual, Finland tops the list, meaning Finns can once again be considered the happiest people in the world. This is the ninth year in a row that Finland has won.

The biggest mover on the list is Costa Rica, which is fourth. As recently as 2023, the country was in 23rd place.

The United States is 23rd this year, and Afghanistan is in last place.

Around 1,000 people from each country participate in the survey annually.

Correction: In a previous version, Costa Rica was incorrectly named. The correct name is “the country.”

Facts: World Happiness Report 2026

Top 10:

1. Finland

2. Iceland

3. Denmark

4. Costa Rica

5. Sweden

6. Norway

7. Netherlands

8. Israel

9. Luxembourg

10. Switzerland

The World Happiness Report is based on surveys in which populations have assessed their own perceived happiness.