The U.S. remained outside the top 20 happiest countries globally in 2026, ranking No. 23 — up one spot from 2025, according to the “World Happiness Report 2026.”
The annual report, now in its 14th edition, is produced in partnership with Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network and the report’s editorial board. It draws on Gallup World Poll data from more than 140 countries, asking about 1,000 respondents per country each year to rate their lives on a scale of 0–10. Rankings are based on three-year averages of those life evaluations, with the 2026 report using data from 2023 through 2025.
The report also examines six factors linked to life evaluation: income, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity and perceptions of corruption.
Among the key findings: declines in youth well-being are contributing to the U.S.’s lower ranking. Life evaluations among people under age 25 in the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand have fallen by about 0.86 points on the 0–10 scale over time, while youth well-being has improved in most other countries. The report suggests increased digital and social media use may be one contributing factor, particularly among girls.
Here are the top 25 happiest countries, according to the report:
1. Finland
2. Iceland
3. Denmark
4. Costa Rica
5. Sweden
6. Norway
7. Netherlands
8. Israel
9. Luxembourg
10. Switzerland
11. New Zealand
12. Mexico
13. Ireland
14. Belgium
15. Australia
16. Kosovo
17. Germany
18. Slovenia
19. Austria
20. Czechia
21. United Arab Emirates
22. Saudi Arabia
23. United States
24. Poland
25. Canada
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