Happiness is a public matter What does the World Happiness Report 2025 tell us?
The World Happiness Report 2025 confirms long-standing trends and introduces new evidence on the role of kindness, trust, and social support in determining people’s well-being. At the top of the global happiness ranking remains Finland, for the eighth consecutive year, reaffirming the dominance of the Nordic countries. Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden follow closely, once again leading thanks to strong social systems, reliable institutions, and a culture of mutual trust.
World Happiness Report 2025: what’s new
One of the most significant developments concerns Costa Rica, which enters the top 10 for the first time, showing that happiness is not only determined by income or national wealth, but also by the quality of social relationships, community cohesion, and the positive impact of benevolent actions in daily life. Another key aspect highlighted by the World Happiness Report is the link between well-being, environmental sustainability, and the quality of public services. Countries with responsible environmental policies, efficient infrastructure, and access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and quality public transport report higher levels of happiness. Sustainability is not only an ecological matter, but also a social one: living in clean, safe, and well-organized cities increases trust in the community, reduces everyday stress, and encourages benevolent behaviors such as volunteering or helping others.
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Kindness and benevolent acts: what makes us happy?
The report highlights that happiness is not just a matter of economics or health, but is deeply tied to how we care for one another. Donations, volunteering, and helping strangers remain central behaviors for well-being, especially when carried out freely, with genuine connections and a clear positive impact. It is no surprise, then, that the happiest societies are those where people trust others, expect kindness, and perceive a community that is ready to support one another. In the Nordic countries, for example, the likelihood of a lost wallet being returned is among the highest in the world, reflecting a culture of trust and mutual respect that strengthens overall well-being.
Post-pandemic trends
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the world witnessed a global surge in benevolent acts, especially toward strangers. In 2024, this phenomenon declined compared to its pandemic peak, but remains more than 10% higher than pre-pandemic levels (2017–2019). Helping others continues to boost our happiness, but even more important is the perceived kindness and reliability of the community, which has nearly double the impact compared to the frequency of benevolent actions. This shows that living in a society where kindness is expected generates greater satisfaction and reduces inequality in happiness within countries.
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Inequality and social cohesion
The report confirms that inequality in happiness within countries has increased by about a quarter over the past twenty years, while differences between countries have remained stable. Societies perceived as fairer, more reliable, and benevolent mitigate the negative effects of adverse circumstances, creating a more cohesive and resilient social fabric. Moreover, at a global level, countries that provide unconditional development aid (ODA) tend to be happier, while those with a higher percentage of refugees show lower happiness levels, underscoring the importance of managing migration flows in an inclusive and participatory way.
Happiness as a community phenomenon
The key message of the World Happiness Report 2025 is clear: happiness grows where people care for one another and trust in the goodwill of those around them. Solidarity, kindness, and willingness to help not only improve individual well-being, but also strengthen social cohesion, reduce inequalities, and foster more resilient communities. In a world still marked by economic crises, pandemics, and social tensions, these findings remind us that well-being is not measured solely in terms of income or health. Investing in the quality of social connections and mutual support is, ultimately, an investment in the future of collective happiness.