Finland Named World’s Happiest Country for Ninth Year in a Row, Report Links Social Media to Declining Youth Wellbeing
For the ninth consecutive year, Finland has been ranked the happiest country in the world, according to the World Happiness Report 2026, published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford. The report, released on Friday, reveals a continued dominance of Nordic nations at the top of the rankings, with Iceland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway also featuring in the top six. Costa Rica achieved its highest-ever ranking, securing fourth place – the best result for any Latin American country.
Social Media’s Impact on Youth Happiness
While Finland maintains its position as the happiest nation, the report highlights a growing concern: the negative impact of social media on the wellbeing of young people, particularly in Western countries. Researchers concluded that many users would be better off if social media platforms did not exist, citing issues like cyberbullying, sextortion, and increased rates of depression.
The report found that heavy social media use is linked to a significant drop in wellbeing, particularly among girls in Western Europe. Specifically, those who use social media for more than seven hours a day experience a substantial decrease in life satisfaction. An OECD study cited in the report showed a nearly full-point drop in wellbeing for girls and a half-point drop for boys in Western Europe who are heavy social media users.
Global Happiness Trends and Rankings
The World Happiness Report ranks countries based on how residents rate their own lives on a scale of 0 to 10. Data is collected throughout the year, considering factors like religious observances, weather, and global events such as pandemics and war. The rankings are determined by six key indicators:
- GDP per capita
- Healthy life expectancy
- Freedom to make life choices
- Generosity
- Freedom from corruption
- Social support (having someone to count on)
France experienced its lowest-ever ranking at 35th place, falling two positions in the past year. The United Kingdom also reported its lowest average life evaluation since 2017, ranking 23rd.
Challenges in Afghanistan and Eastern Europe
The report also highlighted significant disparities in happiness levels around the world. Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the list, with women experiencing particularly low wellbeing scores (1.26) following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Other nations facing political and social difficulties, including Sierra Leone, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Yemen, Lebanon, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, also rank low on the list.
Despite these challenges, the report noted increasing happiness levels in central and eastern Europe. However, many industrialized Western countries are now less happy than they were between 2005 and 2010.
Calls for Regulation and Awareness
The World Happiness Report emphasizes the need for “thoughtful regulation of social media environments” to mitigate the harmful effects on young people. The report suggests that teachers, parents, and school administrators are likely to support such measures. A Harris poll cited in the report revealed that over a third of users aged 18-27 wish social media platforms like X, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, and Instagram did not exist.
While acknowledging potential benefits of social media, the report suggests that disconnecting voluntarily can also lead to positive outcomes. The authors call for a balanced approach that prioritizes the wellbeing of young people while recognizing the potential for positive connection.
About the World Happiness Report
The World Happiness Report is published annually by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, in partnership with Gallup, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and an independent editorial board. The report serves as a crucial resource for policymakers seeking to incorporate wellbeing into public policy. The 2026 edition was launched with a live event on March 20, 2026, where authors discussed key findings and the relationship between social media use and wellbeing. Learn more about the report.