Ireland ranked 15th happiest country in the world

The country has moved up two places since 2023.

Finland is the happiest country in the world for the eighth year in a row, according to the World Happiness Report 2025.

The annual report was published on Thursday by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford.

The Nordics lead the line once again, with Denmark, Iceland and Sweden remaining in the top four and in the same order.

America finds itself at its lowest-ever ranking of 24th, one place behind the UK in 23rd - its lowest average life evaluation since the 2017 report.

Costa Rica and Mexico entered the top ten for the first time, at the sixth and tenth spot respectively.

Afghanistan, plagued by a humanitarian catastrophe since the Taliban regained control in 2020, once again ranked as the unhappiest country in the world.

Country rankings were based on answers people gave when asked to rate their own lives.

The happiness ranking is based on a three-year average of individuals' self-assessed evaluations of life satisfaction, as well as GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and corruption.

Researchers say that beyond health and wealth, some factors that influence happiness sound deceptively simple – sharing meals with others and having somebody to count on for social support.

The report draws on Gallup World Poll data from people in more than 140 countries. 

“Happiness isn’t just about wealth or growth — it’s about trust, connection, and knowing people have your back,” said Jon Clifton, the chief executive of Gallup.

"If we want stronger communities and economies, we must invest in what truly matters: each other.”