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Finland has been ranked the world’s happiest country for the eighth year in the World Happiness Report 2025, while Nigeria dropped to 105th place. The report highlights global happiness trends, with Libya leading in Africa. Economic stability, social support, and governance remain key factors influencing global rankings.

Finland has been ranked the happiest country in the world for the eighth consecutive year, according to the newly released World Happiness Report 2025. The report, published on March 20 in collaboration with the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Gallup, and the Oxford Center for Well-Being Research, assesses global well-being based on six key factors: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and perceptions of corruption.

Nordic nations continue to dominate the top positions, with Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden following Finland in the rankings. However, Nigeria dropped to 105th place out of 147 countries, falling three spots from its previous ranking of 102 in 2024. Despite this decline, Nigeria remains the 10th happiest nation in Africa, showing a slightly stronger standing compared to many of its regional counterparts.

Libya emerged as Africa’s highest-ranked country, securing 79th place globally. The ranking highlights Libya’s relative stability in life satisfaction and societal well-being despite ongoing challenges in the region.

The United States, which fell out of the top 20 for the first time last year, now ranks 24th, continuing its downward trend from its highest position of 11th place in 2012. Similarly, the United Kingdom dropped to 23rd, recording its lowest average life satisfaction levels since 2017.

This year’s report focuses on how acts of kindness and generosity impact national happiness levels. Experts suggest that strong social support systems, economic stability, and individual freedoms contribute significantly to higher happiness scores in leading countries. Meanwhile, nations experiencing economic hardships, insecurity, and governance challenges continue to struggle in global rankings.

While Nigeria once topped global happiness charts in 2003, when a World Values Survey named its citizens the happiest in the world, the country's position has since declined. Economic instability, insecurity, and governance issues have impacted citizens’ life satisfaction, according to analysts.

As global happiness trends shift, the report encourages policymakers worldwide to prioritize social well-being, economic stability, and governance reforms to improve life satisfaction among citizens.