The Digest:
The latest global happiness rankings for 2025 have been released, with Nordic countries once again dominating the top positions. Finland leads the list with a score of 7.74, followed closely by Denmark and Iceland, both at 7.52. The rankings highlight that prosperity alone does not guarantee happiness; instead, strong institutions, social trust, and access to quality public services play defining roles. Costa Rica stands out as the highest-ranked Latin American nation at sixth, while Mexico rounds out the top ten. Nigeria and other African nations are not featured in this year's top tier.
Key Points:
- Citizens of top-ranked countries enjoy robust social safety nets, universal healthcare, and high levels of institutional trust.
- The rankings demonstrate that economic stability combined with social cohesion creates sustainable wellbeing.
- Nordic welfare models and social policies are validated as global benchmarks for quality of life.
- Costa Rica and Mexico's inclusion shows that strong community bonds can compensate for lower income levels.
- The absence of African nations in the top tier highlights persistent governance and social infrastructure challenges on the continent.
The 2025 rankings reaffirm that national happiness is built on social trust, equality, and public investment, offering a benchmark for countries seeking to improve citizen wellbeing.
Sources: Vanguard
