The world’s happiest countries have been named: where does Ukraine rank?
19 March 07:47
For the ninth consecutive year, Finland has topped the global ranking of the happiest countries. Meanwhile, Ukraine remains outside the top 100—this year it ranked 111th. CNN reports this, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
Which countries were the happiest in 2026
The top ten is traditionally dominated by Northern European countries. It is this region that has consistently shown the highest levels of life satisfaction for many years.
This year, Costa Rica achieved its best result ever among Latin American countries in the ranking.
Israel, despite military conflicts, became the happiest country in the Middle East.
Top 10 happiest countries in the world:
- Finland
- Iceland
- Denmark
- Costa Rica
- Sweden
- Norway
- Netherlands
- Israel
- Luxembourg
- Switzerland.
Analysts note that the dominance of the Nordic countries is attributed to stable social systems, high levels of trust in society, and high-quality healthcare.
Why Finland Remains the Leader
According to the study, the average life satisfaction score in Finland is 7.764 out of 10.
Economist and editor of the World Happiness Report John Helliwell explains that one of the main reasons for this success is the high level of cooperation in society.
In his words:
Successful societies are able to unite in the face of challenges. This is precisely what helps Finnish society remain one of the happiest.
Which countries scored lower
In 2026, the U.S. ranked 23rd, Canada 25th, and the U.K. 29th.
This is the second year in a row that no English-speaking country has made it into the top 10 of the ranking.
Researchers point to a happiness crisis among young people
The report paid special attention to the decline in life satisfaction among young people, particularly in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Over the past decade, happiness scores among people under 25 in these countries have dropped by nearly one point.
Among the possible causes, researchers cite:
- excessive use of social media
- isolation
- digital stress
- a decline in face-to-face communication
At the same time, experts emphasize that the problem lies not only in social media itself, but in how it is used.
Why the digital age is changing the concept of happiness
Researchers note that digitalization is changing social connections and people’s psychological well-being.
At the same time, the internet can have both negative and positive effects:
Positive:
- learning
- communication
- skill development
Negative:
- dependence
- comparison with others
- information overload
Which countries are the least happy
Afghanistan ranked last (147th place).
Also at the bottom of the list:
- Sierra Leone
- Malawi
- Zimbabwe
- Botswana
Analysts note that countries experiencing wars or deep economic crises traditionally have the lowest happiness scores.
Where did Ukraine rank?
Ukraine ranked 111th in the index, maintaining its position from last year.
At the same time, it ranked even lower than Palestine, which came in at 109th place.
Experts note that Ukraine’s ranking is significantly influenced by:
- full-scale war
- economic difficulties
- social instability
- security risks
What the global happiness ranking shows
Experts emphasize: happiness is not determined solely by income.
Key factors:
- trust in society
- social support
- stability
- safety
- work-life balance
It is these factors that explain the consistent leadership of the Nordic countries.
How the happiness ranking is determined
The study is based on a public survey using the so-called “Kentril ladder” methodology . People are asked to rate their quality of life on a scale from 0 to 10.
The following indicators are also taken into account:
- GDP per capita
- life expectancy
- level of social support
- sense of freedom
- level of corruption
- level of trust in society
- generosity of citizens
To avoid the impact of short-term crises, the results are based on average data over several years.
Why Scandinavian countries lead
Economists explain the Nordic countries’ leadership:
- a high level of social protection
- trust in government institutions
- low levels of corruption
- high-quality healthcare
- a stable economy
It is the combination of these factors that contributes to a high level of life satisfaction.
What the ranking shows
Analysts emphasize: the happiness ranking is not merely an indicator of income. It demonstrates the overall quality of life and the level of trust in society.
