The World Happiness Report 2025 has been released, ranking countries based on various parameters such as GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and corruption levels. This annual report, published by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UNSDSN), provides insights into global happiness trends and country-wise rankings.
India’s Ranking in the 2025 Report
India has been ranked 118th in the World Happiness Report 2025. Despite improvements in economic growth and technological advancements, India’s ranking indicates the need for enhanced social well-being, mental health support, and reduced inequality.
Top-Ranked Countries
Once again, Finland has secured the top position as the happiest country in the world. Other Nordic countries, such as Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden, have also maintained their positions in the top 10 due to their strong social support systems, high-quality healthcare, and excellent governance.
Factors Affecting India’s Ranking
Several factors have contributed to India’s position in the report:
- Economic Growth vs. Social Inequality: While India’s GDP has seen growth, economic disparity remains a significant issue.
- Mental Health Awareness: Increased stress and lack of widespread mental health services impact overall happiness.
- Quality of Life: Factors like pollution, work-life balance, and urban congestion influence well-being.
- Government Initiatives: Various schemes like Ayushman Bharat, Digital India, and Skill India aim to improve living standards, but more efforts are needed to enhance happiness levels.
Global Trends in Happiness
The report highlights global trends in happiness, showing that developed countries continue to dominate the top rankings due to their emphasis on social welfare and individual well-being. The United States, Canada, and Australia have also seen slight changes in their rankings.
Why This News is Important
Relevance for Government Exam Aspirants
For aspirants preparing for UPSC, PSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, and Defence exams, understanding global indices like the World Happiness Report is crucial. Questions related to India’s ranking, factors affecting happiness, and comparisons with other countries often appear in competitive exams.
Socio-Economic Impact
The report sheds light on India’s social and economic challenges. Improving India’s rank requires policy changes in education, healthcare, employment, and governance, making it a critical topic for discussions on development and public administration.
Global Comparisons and Policy Insights
The rankings provide insights into the success of policies in other nations. Countries ranking higher in the happiness index have well-established social security systems, which India can learn from to improve citizen satisfaction and quality of life.
Historical Context
Origin of the World Happiness Report
The World Happiness Report was first introduced in 2012 by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UNSDSN). It is based on survey responses from citizens worldwide, considering economic and social factors affecting happiness.
India’s Past Rankings
Over the years, India’s ranking has fluctuated:
- 2022: 136th
- 2023: 126th
- 2024: 126th
- 2025: 118th (latest ranking)
While there is an improvement from previous years, India still lags behind many developing nations in happiness metrics.
Key Takeaways from the World Happiness Report 2025
| S.No | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | The World Happiness Report 2025 ranks India 118th globally. |
| 2 | Finland remains the happiest country in the world. |
| 3 | The report measures happiness using GDP, social support, life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and corruption levels. |
| 4 | India has improved its ranking from 126th in 2024 to 118th in 2025. |
| 5 | Government policies focusing on healthcare, mental health, and social equality can improve India’s happiness index. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the World Happiness Report?
The World Happiness Report is an annual publication by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UNSDSN) that ranks countries based on factors influencing happiness and well-being.
2. What is India’s rank in the World Happiness Report 2025?
India has been ranked 118th in the World Happiness Report 2025.
3. Which country topped the World Happiness Report 2025?
Finland has once again secured the top position as the happiest country in the world.
4. What factors are considered in the World Happiness Report rankings?
The rankings are based on GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and perceived corruption levels.
5. How can India improve its happiness ranking?
India can improve its ranking by enhancing mental health services, reducing economic inequality, improving healthcare, and increasing quality of life initiatives.
Some Important Current Affairs Links
