World Happiness Report 2025: India at 118th

India’s happiness ranking has shown steady improvement over the last five years, as per the World Happiness Report 2025, released by the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre in collaboration with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Ranked 118th out of 147 countries, India has climbed significantly from its 139th position in 2020. Key factors such as economic growth, improved perception of corruption, and rising personal freedom have contributed to this upward trend. However, India still lags behind Pakistan (109th) and Nepal (92nd) due to lower social support and economic inequality.

Key Findings of the World Happiness Report 2025

India’s Performance

• Ranking: Improved from 126 (2023) to 118 (2024).
• Best Rank: 94 (2011)
• Lowest Rank: 144 (2019)

Key Improvements

• Personal Freedom: Highest in five years (ranked 23rd in 2024).
• GDP per Capita Rank: 93rd in 2024 (Improved from 97 in 2022).
• Perception of Corruption: Rank improved from 71 (2022) to 56 (2024).

Areas of Concern

• Low Social Support: Weak community ties and social trust.
• Economic Inequality: Growing wealth disparity.
• Mental Health Issues: Rising stress, work-life imbalance.

Global Happiness Trends

Top 5 Happiest Countries

1. Finland (1st for the 8th consecutive year)
2. Denmark
3. Iceland
4. Sweden
5. Netherlands

Notable Improvements & Declines

• Costa Rica (6th) and Mexico (10th) entered the top 10 for the first time.
• The US dropped to 24th due to rising social isolation, particularly among young adults.
• The UK ranked 23rd, its lowest position since 2017.

Bottom 5 Unhappiest Countries

• 143. Zimbabwe
• 144. Malawi
• 145. Lebanon
• 146. Sierra Leone
• 147. Afghanistan (Unhappiest for the fourth consecutive year).

Understanding the World Happiness Index

• First Published: 2012
• Released By: Wellbeing Research Centre (University of Oxford), Gallup, UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network

Ranking Factors

• GDP per capita (Economic prosperity)
• Social Support (Community & trust)
• Healthy Life Expectancy
• Freedom to Make Life Choices
• Generosity (Charitable activities)
• Perception of Corruption (Trust in governance)

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	World Happiness Report 2025: India at 118th
India’s Happiness Rank (2024)	118th (Improved from 126th in 2023)
Best Rank	94 (2011)
Lowest Rank	144 (2019)
Personal Freedom Ranked	23rd (Best in 5 years)
GDP per Capita Rank	93rd (Improved from 97 in 2022)
Perception of Corruption	Rank improved from 71 (2022) to 56 (2024)
Top 5 Happiest Countries	1. Finland 2. Denmark 3. Iceland 4. Sweden 5. Netherlands
Bottom 5 Unhappiest Countries	143. Zimbabwe 144. Malawi 145. Lebanon 146. Sierra Leone 147. Afghanistan
Notable Changes	Costa Rica (6th) and Mexico (10th) entered the top 10 for the first time
US & UK Trends	US dropped to 24th due to rising social isolation, UK at 23rd (Lowest since 2017)
Key Factors for Happiness Ranking	GDP per capita, Social Support, Healthy Life Expectancy, Freedom, Generosity, Perception of Corruption