World Happiness Report - 2021

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World Happiness Report - 2021

The World Happiness Report 2021, published by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network in partnership with Gallup and leading global researchers, provides a timely assessment of global well-being during the first full year of the COVID-19 pandemic. This edition places particular emphasis on how different governments, health systems, and social structures responded to the crisis. While overall rankings remained relatively stable, the 2021 report introduces an expanded focus on emotional and mental health metrics. Drawing from Gallup World Poll data, it highlights that trust in public institutions and social support networks played a critical role in buffering against the psychological impact of the pandemic.

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Rank	Country	Region	Ladder score (Happiness)	Standard error	upperwhisker	lowerwhisker	Logged GDP per capita	Social support	Healthy life expectancy	Freedom to make life choices	Generosity	Perceptions of corruption	Ladder score in dystopia	Explained by: Log GDP per capita	Explained by: Social support	Explained by: Healthy life expectancy	Explained by: Freedom to make life choices	Explained by: Generosity	Explained by: Perceptions of corruption	Dystopia + residual
1	Finland	Western Europe	7.84	0.03	7.90	7.78	10.78	0.95	72.00	0.95	-0.10	0.19	2.43	1.45	1.11	0.74	0.69	0.12	0.48	3.25
2	Denmark	Western Europe	7.62	0.04	7.69	7.55	10.93	0.95	72.70	0.95	0.03	0.18	2.43	1.50	1.11	0.76	0.69	0.21	0.49	2.87
3	Switzerland	Western Europe	7.57	0.04	7.64	7.50	11.12	0.94	74.40	0.92	0.03	0.29	2.43	1.57	1.08	0.82	0.65	0.20	0.41	2.84
4	Iceland	Western Europe	7.55	0.06	7.67	7.44	10.88	0.98	73.00	0.96	0.16	0.67	2.43	1.48	1.17	0.77	0.70	0.29	0.17	2.97
5	Netherlands	Western Europe	7.46	0.03	7.52	7.41	10.93	0.94	72.40	0.91	0.18	0.34	2.43	1.50	1.08	0.75	0.65	0.30	0.38	2.80
6	Norway	Western Europe	7.39	0.04	7.46	7.32	11.05	0.95	73.30	0.96	0.09	0.27	2.43	1.54	1.11	0.78	0.70	0.25	0.43	2.58
7	Sweden	Western Europe	7.36	0.04	7.43	7.29	10.87	0.93	72.70	0.95	0.09	0.24	2.43	1.48	1.06	0.76	0.69	0.24	0.45	2.68
8	Luxembourg	Western Europe	7.32	0.04	7.40	7.25	11.65	0.91	72.60	0.91	-0.03	0.39	2.43	1.75	1.00	0.76	0.64	0.17	0.35	2.65
9	New Zealand	North America and ANZ	7.28	0.04	7.36	7.20	10.64	0.95	73.40	0.93	0.13	0.24	2.43	1.40	1.09	0.79	0.67	0.28	0.45	2.61
10	Austria	Western Europe	7.27	0.04	7.34	7.20	10.91	0.93	73.30	0.91	0.04	0.48	2.43	1.49	1.06	0.78	0.64	0.22	0.29	2.78
11	Australia	North America and ANZ	7.18	0.04	7.27	7.10	10.80	0.94	73.90	0.91	0.16	0.44	2.43	1.45	1.08	0.80	0.65	0.29	0.32	2.60
12	Israel	Middle East and North Africa	7.16	0.03	7.22	7.09	10.58	0.94	73.50	0.80	0.03	0.75	2.43	1.38	1.07	0.79	0.51	0.21	0.12	3.08
13	Germany	Western Europe	7.16	0.04	7.23	7.08	10.87	0.90	72.50	0.88	0.01	0.46	2.43	1.48	0.99	0.76	0.60	0.20	0.31	2.82
14	Canada	North America and ANZ	7.10	0.04	7.19	7.02	10.78	0.93	73.80	0.92	0.09	0.42	2.43	1.45	1.04	0.80	0.65	0.25	0.34	2.59
15	Ireland	Western Europe	7.09	0.04	7.16	7.01	11.34	0.95	72.40	0.88	0.08	0.36	2.43	1.64	1.09	0.75	0.61	0.24	0.37	2.38
16	Costa Rica	Latin America and Caribbean	7.07	0.06	7.18	6.96	9.88	0.89	71.40	0.93	-0.13	0.81	2.43	1.13	0.97	0.72	0.67	0.11	0.08	3.39
17	United Kingdom	Western Europe	7.06	0.04	7.14	6.99	10.71	0.93	72.50	0.86	0.23	0.46	2.43	1.42	1.06	0.76	0.58	0.34	0.31	2.60
18	Czech Republic	Central and Eastern Europe	6.97	0.05	7.06	6.87	10.56	0.95	70.81	0.86	-0.21	0.87	2.43	1.37	1.09	0.70	0.58	0.05	0.05	3.12
19	United States	North America and ANZ	6.95	0.05	7.05	6.86	11.02	0.92	68.20	0.84	0.10	0.70	2.43	1.53	1.03	0.62	0.55	0.25	0.15	2.81
20	Belgium	Western Europe	6.83	0.03	6.90	6.77	10.82	0.91	72.20	0.78	-0.15	0.65	2.43	1.46	1.00	0.75	0.49	0.09	0.19	2.86
21	France	Western Europe	6.69	0.04	6.76	6.62	10.70	0.94	74.00	0.82	-0.15	0.57	2.43	1.42	1.08	0.80	0.54	0.09	0.24	2.52
22	Bahrain	Middle East and North Africa	6.65	0.07	6.78	6.51	10.67	0.86	69.50	0.93	0.09	0.72	2.43	1.41	0.90	0.66	0.66	0.25	0.14	2.63
23	Malta	Western Europe	6.60	0.04	6.69	6.52	10.67	0.93	72.20	0.93	0.13	0.65	2.43	1.41	1.06	0.75	0.66	0.28	0.18	2.27
24	Taiwan Province of China	East Asia	6.58	0.04	6.66	6.51	10.87	0.90	69.60	0.78	-0.07	0.72	2.43	1.48	0.98	0.67	0.49	0.14	0.14	2.69
25	United Arab Emirates	Middle East and North Africa	6.56	0.04	6.64	6.48	11.09	0.84	67.33	0.93	0.07	0.59	2.43	1.56	0.86	0.59	0.67	0.24	0.22	2.42
26	Saudi Arabia	Middle East and North Africa	6.49	0.06	6.60	6.38	10.74	0.89	66.60	0.88	-0.15	0.68	2.43	1.44	0.96	0.57	0.60	0.09	0.16	2.67
27	Spain	Western Europe	6.49	0.04	6.57	6.41	10.57	0.93	74.70	0.76	-0.08	0.75	2.43	1.38	1.06	0.83	0.46	0.14	0.12	2.51
28	Italy	Western Europe	6.48	0.05	6.57	6.40	10.62	0.88	73.80	0.69	-0.08	0.87	2.43	1.39	0.94	0.80	0.38	0.13	0.05	2.79
29	Slovenia	Central and Eastern Europe	6.46	0.04	6.55	6.38	10.53	0.95	71.40	0.95	-0.10	0.81	2.43	1.36	1.09	0.72	0.69	0.12	0.09	2.39
30	Guatemala	Latin America and Caribbean	6.44	0.07	6.58	6.29	9.05	0.81	64.96	0.91	-0.04	0.78	2.43	0.85	0.79	0.52	0.64	0.16	0.11	3.38
31	Uruguay	Latin America and Caribbean	6.43	0.05	6.52	6.34	9.97	0.93	69.10	0.90	-0.09	0.59	2.43	1.16	1.04	0.65	0.63	0.13	0.22	2.60
32	Singapore	Southeast Asia	6.38	0.04	6.46	6.29	11.49	0.92	76.95	0.93	-0.02	0.08	2.43	1.70	1.02	0.90	0.66	0.18	0.55	1.38
33	Kosovo	Central and Eastern Europe	6.37	0.06	6.49	6.26	9.32	0.82	63.81	0.87	0.26	0.92	2.43	0.94	0.81	0.48	0.59	0.36	0.01	3.18
34	Slovakia	Central and Eastern Europe	6.33	0.04	6.41	6.25	10.37	0.94	69.20	0.77	-0.12	0.91	2.43	1.30	1.07	0.65	0.47	0.11	0.02	2.71
35	Brazil	Latin America and Caribbean	6.33	0.04	6.42	6.25	9.58	0.88	66.60	0.80	-0.07	0.76	2.43	1.03	0.94	0.57	0.51	0.14	0.12	3.02
36	Mexico	Latin America and Caribbean	6.32	0.05	6.42	6.21	9.86	0.83	68.60	0.86	-0.15	0.80	2.43	1.13	0.83	0.63	0.59	0.09	0.09	2.96
37	Jamaica	Latin America and Caribbean	6.31	0.16	6.62	6.00	9.19	0.88	67.50	0.89	-0.14	0.88	2.43	0.89	0.93	0.60	0.62	0.10	0.04	3.14
38	Lithuania	Central and Eastern Europe	6.26	0.05	6.34	6.17	10.50	0.94	67.91	0.77	-0.20	0.83	2.43	1.35	1.07	0.61	0.48	0.06	0.07	2.62
39	Cyprus	Western Europe	6.22	0.05	6.32	6.13	10.58	0.80	73.90	0.76	-0.02	0.84	2.43	1.38	0.77	0.80	0.46	0.18	0.06	2.58
40	Estonia	Central and Eastern Europe	6.19	0.04	6.26	6.12	10.48	0.94	68.80	0.91	-0.11	0.53	2.43	1.34	1.08	0.64	0.64	0.12	0.26	2.10
41	Panama	Latin America and Caribbean	6.18	0.07	6.32	6.04	10.35	0.90	69.65	0.87	-0.17	0.86	2.43	1.30	0.98	0.67	0.60	0.08	0.05	2.51
42	Uzbekistan	Commonwealth of Independent States	6.18	0.07	6.31	6.05	8.84	0.92	65.26	0.97	0.31	0.52	2.43	0.77	1.03	0.53	0.72	0.39	0.27	2.48
43	Chile	Latin America and Caribbean	6.17	0.05	6.26	6.08	10.07	0.88	70.00	0.74	-0.04	0.83	2.43	1.20	0.95	0.68	0.44	0.16	0.07	2.68
44	Poland	Central and Eastern Europe	6.17	0.04	6.25	6.09	10.38	0.90	69.70	0.84	-0.17	0.74	2.43	1.31	0.98	0.67	0.56	0.08	0.13	2.44
45	Kazakhstan	Commonwealth of Independent States	6.15	0.05	6.24	6.06	10.16	0.95	65.20	0.85	-0.07	0.73	2.43	1.23	1.10	0.53	0.57	0.14	0.13	2.45
46	Romania	Central and Eastern Europe	6.14	0.06	6.25	6.03	10.28	0.83	67.36	0.85	-0.22	0.94	2.43	1.28	0.83	0.60	0.56	0.05	0.00	2.83
47	Kuwait	Middle East and North Africa	6.11	0.07	6.24	5.98	10.82	0.84	66.90	0.87	-0.10	0.74	2.43	1.46	0.86	0.58	0.59	0.12	0.13	2.37
48	Serbia	Central and Eastern Europe	6.08	0.05	6.18	5.97	9.79	0.87	68.60	0.78	0.00	0.84	2.43	1.10	0.92	0.63	0.48	0.19	0.07	2.68
49	El Salvador	Latin America and Caribbean	6.06	0.07	6.19	5.93	9.05	0.76	66.40	0.89	-0.11	0.69	2.43	0.85	0.68	0.57	0.62	0.12	0.16	3.09
50	Mauritius	Sub-Saharan Africa	6.05	0.06	6.17	5.93	10.01	0.91	66.70	0.87	-0.05	0.79	2.43	1.18	1.00	0.57	0.59	0.15	0.10	2.46
51	Latvia	Central and Eastern Europe	6.03	0.04	6.10	5.96	10.32	0.93	67.10	0.72	-0.16	0.80	2.43	1.29	1.05	0.59	0.41	0.08	0.09	2.54
52	Colombia	Latin America and Caribbean	6.01	0.06	6.13	5.89	9.56	0.85	68.00	0.84	-0.14	0.84	2.43	1.02	0.87	0.62	0.55	0.10	0.06	2.79
53	Hungary	Central and Eastern Europe	5.99	0.05	6.09	5.90	10.36	0.94	68.00	0.76	-0.19	0.88	2.43	1.30	1.08	0.62	0.45	0.07	0.04	2.43
54	Thailand	Southeast Asia	5.99	0.05	6.08	5.89	9.81	0.89	67.40	0.88	0.29	0.90	2.43	1.11	0.96	0.60	0.61	0.38	0.03	2.31
55	Nicaragua	Latin America and Caribbean	5.97	0.08	6.13	5.81	8.62	0.86	67.66	0.84	0.02	0.66	2.43	0.69	0.90	0.60	0.55	0.20	0.18	2.84
56	Japan	East Asia	5.94	0.04	6.02	5.86	10.61	0.88	75.10	0.80	-0.26	0.64	2.43	1.39	0.95	0.84	0.50	0.02	0.19	2.05
57	Argentina	Latin America and Caribbean	5.93	0.06	6.04	5.82	9.96	0.90	69.00	0.83	-0.18	0.83	2.43	1.16	0.98	0.65	0.54	0.07	0.07	2.46
58	Portugal	Western Europe	5.93	0.06	6.04	5.82	10.42	0.88	72.60	0.89	-0.24	0.89	2.43	1.32	0.94	0.76	0.62	0.03	0.03	2.23
59	Honduras	Latin America and Caribbean	5.92	0.08	6.08	5.76	8.65	0.81	67.30	0.86	0.08	0.81	2.43	0.70	0.79	0.59	0.58	0.24	0.08	2.93
60	Croatia	Central and Eastern Europe	5.88	0.05	5.98	5.79	10.22	0.92	70.80	0.75	-0.12	0.94	2.43	1.25	1.04	0.70	0.45	0.11	0.00	2.33
61	Philippines	Southeast Asia	5.88	0.05	5.98	5.78	9.08	0.83	62.00	0.92	-0.10	0.74	2.43	0.85	0.83	0.43	0.65	0.13	0.13	2.87
62	South Korea	East Asia	5.85	0.04	5.93	5.76	10.65	0.80	73.90	0.67	-0.08	0.73	2.43	1.40	0.76	0.80	0.35	0.13	0.14	2.26
63	Peru	Latin America and Caribbean	5.84	0.08	5.99	5.69	9.46	0.83	68.25	0.82	-0.15	0.89	2.43	0.99	0.83	0.62	0.54	0.09	0.03	2.74
64	Bosnia and Herzegovina	Central and Eastern Europe	5.81	0.05	5.91	5.72	9.59	0.87	68.10	0.71	0.11	0.93	2.43	1.03	0.92	0.62	0.40	0.26	0.01	2.58
65	Moldova	Commonwealth of Independent States	5.77	0.05	5.86	5.68	9.45	0.86	65.70	0.82	-0.08	0.92	2.43	0.99	0.89	0.54	0.54	0.14	0.01	2.67
66	Ecuador	Latin America and Caribbean	5.76	0.06	5.88	5.65	9.31	0.82	68.80	0.84	-0.12	0.84	2.43	0.94	0.81	0.64	0.56	0.11	0.06	2.65
67	Kyrgyzstan	Commonwealth of Independent States	5.74	0.05	5.83	5.65	8.54	0.89	64.40	0.94	0.12	0.91	2.43	0.67	0.97	0.50	0.67	0.27	0.02	2.65
68	Greece	Western Europe	5.72	0.05	5.81	5.63	10.28	0.82	72.60	0.58	-0.29	0.82	2.43	1.27	0.81	0.76	0.24	0.00	0.07	2.56
69	Bolivia	Latin America and Caribbean	5.72	0.05	5.82	5.61	9.05	0.81	63.90	0.88	-0.08	0.84	2.43	0.84	0.78	0.49	0.60	0.14	0.06	2.81
70	Mongolia	East Asia	5.68	0.04	5.76	5.60	9.40	0.94	62.50	0.71	0.12	0.86	2.43	0.97	1.07	0.44	0.40	0.26	0.05	2.49
71	Paraguay	Latin America and Caribbean	5.65	0.09	5.83	5.47	9.45	0.89	65.90	0.88	0.03	0.88	2.43	0.98	0.97	0.55	0.60	0.21	0.04	2.31
72	Montenegro	Central and Eastern Europe	5.58	0.05	5.69	5.48	9.94	0.86	68.70	0.71	-0.03	0.81	2.43	1.16	0.89	0.64	0.40	0.17	0.08	2.25
73	Dominican Republic	Latin America and Caribbean	5.55	0.07	5.69	5.41	9.80	0.85	66.10	0.86	-0.13	0.71	2.43	1.11	0.88	0.56	0.58	0.10	0.14	2.18
74	North Cyprus	Western Europe	5.54	0.05	5.64	5.44	10.58	0.82	73.90	0.80	0.01	0.63	2.43	1.38	0.81	0.80	0.50	0.20	0.20	1.65
75	Belarus	Commonwealth of Independent States	5.53	0.05	5.63	5.44	9.85	0.91	66.25	0.65	-0.18	0.63	2.43	1.12	1.01	0.56	0.33	0.07	0.20	2.25
76	Russia	Commonwealth of Independent States	5.48	0.03	5.54	5.41	10.19	0.90	64.70	0.72	-0.11	0.85	2.43	1.24	0.99	0.51	0.41	0.12	0.06	2.15
77	Hong Kong S.A.R. of China	East Asia	5.48	0.05	5.57	5.38	11.00	0.84	76.82	0.72	0.07	0.40	2.43	1.53	0.84	0.89	0.41	0.23	0.34	1.24
78	Tajikistan	Commonwealth of Independent States	5.47	0.03	5.53	5.40	8.09	0.86	64.28	0.83	-0.06	0.55	2.43	0.51	0.90	0.50	0.55	0.15	0.25	2.62
79	Vietnam	Southeast Asia	5.41	0.04	5.49	5.33	8.97	0.85	68.03	0.94	-0.10	0.80	2.43	0.82	0.87	0.62	0.68	0.12	0.09	2.21
80	Libya	Middle East and North Africa	5.41	0.08	5.56	5.26	9.62	0.83	62.30	0.77	-0.09	0.67	2.43	1.04	0.82	0.44	0.47	0.13	0.17	2.33
81	Malaysia	Southeast Asia	5.38	0.05	5.48	5.29	10.24	0.82	67.10	0.90	0.13	0.84	2.43	1.26	0.80	0.59	0.62	0.27	0.06	1.78
82	Indonesia	Southeast Asia	5.35	0.06	5.45	5.24	9.37	0.81	62.24	0.87	0.54	0.87	2.43	0.95	0.79	0.43	0.60	0.54	0.05	1.99
83	Congo (Brazzaville)	Sub-Saharan Africa	5.34	0.10	5.53	5.15	8.12	0.64	58.22	0.70	-0.07	0.75	2.43	0.52	0.39	0.31	0.38	0.14	0.12	3.48
84	China	East Asia	5.34	0.03	5.40	5.28	9.67	0.81	69.59	0.90	-0.15	0.76	2.43	1.06	0.79	0.67	0.64	0.09	0.12	1.98
85	Ivory Coast	Sub-Saharan Africa	5.31	0.08	5.46	5.15	8.55	0.64	50.11	0.74	-0.02	0.79	2.43	0.67	0.41	0.05	0.44	0.18	0.09	3.47
86	Armenia	Commonwealth of Independent States	5.28	0.06	5.40	5.17	9.49	0.80	67.06	0.83	-0.17	0.63	2.43	1.00	0.76	0.59	0.54	0.08	0.20	2.13
87	Nepal	South Asia	5.27	0.07	5.41	5.13	8.12	0.77	64.23	0.78	0.15	0.73	2.43	0.52	0.70	0.50	0.49	0.29	0.14	2.64
88	Bulgaria	Central and Eastern Europe	5.27	0.05	5.37	5.16	10.02	0.93	67.00	0.79	-0.10	0.93	2.43	1.18	1.06	0.58	0.49	0.13	0.01	1.82
89	Maldives	South Asia	5.20	0.07	5.34	5.06	9.83	0.91	70.60	0.85	0.02	0.83	2.43	1.12	1.02	0.70	0.58	0.20	0.07	1.52
90	Azerbaijan	Commonwealth of Independent States	5.17	0.04	5.25	5.09	9.57	0.84	65.66	0.81	-0.22	0.51	2.43	1.03	0.84	0.54	0.53	0.04	0.28	1.92
91	Cameroon	Sub-Saharan Africa	5.14	0.07	5.29	5.00	8.19	0.71	53.52	0.73	0.03	0.85	2.43	0.54	0.56	0.16	0.43	0.21	0.06	3.20
92	Senegal	Sub-Saharan Africa	5.13	0.07	5.27	5.00	8.12	0.71	59.80	0.70	-0.05	0.80	2.43	0.52	0.56	0.36	0.38	0.16	0.09	3.07
93	Albania	Central and Eastern Europe	5.12	0.06	5.23	5.00	9.52	0.70	69.00	0.79	-0.03	0.90	2.43	1.01	0.53	0.65	0.49	0.17	0.02	2.25
94	North Macedonia	Central and Eastern Europe	5.10	0.05	5.20	5.00	9.69	0.81	65.47	0.75	0.04	0.91	2.43	1.07	0.77	0.54	0.45	0.21	0.02	2.04
95	Ghana	Sub-Saharan Africa	5.09	0.07	5.22	4.96	8.58	0.73	57.59	0.81	0.12	0.85	2.43	0.68	0.60	0.29	0.52	0.27	0.06	2.68
96	Niger	Sub-Saharan Africa	5.07	0.10	5.27	4.88	7.10	0.64	53.78	0.81	0.02	0.69	2.43	0.16	0.40	0.17	0.52	0.20	0.16	3.47
97	Turkmenistan	Commonwealth of Independent States	5.07	0.04	5.14	5.00	9.63	0.98	62.41	0.88	0.27	0.89	2.43	1.05	1.17	0.44	0.60	0.37	0.03	1.41
98	Gambia	Sub-Saharan Africa	5.05	0.09	5.23	4.88	7.69	0.69	55.16	0.70	0.42	0.75	2.43	0.37	0.51	0.21	0.38	0.47	0.12	2.99
99	Benin	Sub-Saharan Africa	5.05	0.07	5.19	4.90	8.09	0.49	54.71	0.76	-0.03	0.66	2.43	0.51	0.06	0.20	0.46	0.17	0.18	3.48
100	Laos	Southeast Asia	5.03	0.05	5.12	4.94	8.95	0.73	58.97	0.91	0.12	0.66	2.43	0.81	0.60	0.33	0.64	0.27	0.18	2.20
101	Bangladesh	South Asia	5.03	0.05	5.12	4.93	8.45	0.69	64.80	0.88	-0.04	0.68	2.43	0.64	0.52	0.51	0.60	0.16	0.16	2.43
102	Guinea	Sub-Saharan Africa	4.98	0.09	5.16	4.81	7.84	0.64	55.01	0.70	0.10	0.77	2.43	0.42	0.40	0.21	0.38	0.25	0.11	3.22
103	South Africa	Sub-Saharan Africa	4.96	0.06	5.07	4.84	9.40	0.86	56.90	0.75	-0.07	0.86	2.43	0.97	0.90	0.27	0.45	0.14	0.05	2.19
104	Turkey	Middle East and North Africa	4.95	0.05	5.04	4.86	10.24	0.82	67.20	0.58	-0.14	0.78	2.43	1.26	0.81	0.59	0.24	0.10	0.10	1.85
105	Pakistan	South Asia	4.93	0.07	5.07	4.80	8.46	0.65	58.71	0.73	0.10	0.79	2.43	0.64	0.42	0.32	0.42	0.25	0.10	2.78
106	Morocco	Middle East and North Africa	4.92	0.06	5.04	4.80	8.90	0.56	66.21	0.77	-0.24	0.80	2.43	0.79	0.22	0.56	0.48	0.03	0.09	2.75
107	Venezuela	Latin America and Caribbean	4.89	0.06	5.02	4.77	9.07	0.86	66.70	0.62	-0.17	0.83	2.43	0.85	0.90	0.57	0.28	0.08	0.07	2.14
108	Georgia	Commonwealth of Independent States	4.89	0.05	5.00	4.79	9.59	0.67	64.30	0.78	-0.24	0.66	2.43	1.03	0.47	0.50	0.49	0.03	0.18	2.19
109	Algeria	Middle East and North Africa	4.89	0.05	4.99	4.78	9.34	0.80	66.01	0.48	-0.07	0.75	2.43	0.95	0.77	0.55	0.12	0.14	0.12	2.24
110	Ukraine	Commonwealth of Independent States	4.88	0.05	4.98	4.77	9.44	0.89	64.90	0.72	-0.01	0.92	2.43	0.98	0.96	0.52	0.42	0.18	0.01	1.81
111	Iraq	Middle East and North Africa	4.85	0.06	4.97	4.74	9.24	0.75	60.58	0.63	-0.05	0.88	2.43	0.91	0.64	0.38	0.30	0.15	0.04	2.43
112	Gabon	Sub-Saharan Africa	4.85	0.08	5.00	4.71	9.60	0.78	59.96	0.73	-0.20	0.84	2.43	1.04	0.71	0.36	0.42	0.06	0.06	2.20
113	Burkina Faso	Sub-Saharan Africa	4.83	0.08	4.99	4.68	7.68	0.67	54.15	0.70	-0.01	0.75	2.43	0.36	0.47	0.18	0.38	0.18	0.12	3.13
114	Cambodia	Southeast Asia	4.83	0.07	4.96	4.70	8.36	0.77	62.00	0.96	0.03	0.84	2.43	0.60	0.68	0.43	0.70	0.21	0.06	2.15
115	Mozambique	Sub-Saharan Africa	4.79	0.10	5.00	4.59	7.16	0.74	54.71	0.88	0.06	0.68	2.43	0.18	0.63	0.20	0.61	0.23	0.16	2.78
116	Nigeria	Sub-Saharan Africa	4.76	0.05	4.86	4.66	8.53	0.74	50.10	0.74	0.04	0.88	2.43	0.66	0.63	0.05	0.43	0.21	0.04	2.74
117	Mali	Sub-Saharan Africa	4.72	0.08	4.88	4.56	7.74	0.72	51.97	0.70	-0.04	0.83	2.43	0.39	0.59	0.11	0.38	0.16	0.07	3.02
118	Iran	Middle East and North Africa	4.72	0.06	4.83	4.61	9.58	0.71	66.30	0.61	0.22	0.71	2.43	1.03	0.56	0.56	0.28	0.33	0.14	1.82
119	Uganda	Sub-Saharan Africa	4.64	0.07	4.78	4.49	7.68	0.78	56.10	0.71	0.12	0.86	2.43	0.36	0.72	0.24	0.40	0.27	0.05	2.60
120	Liberia	Sub-Saharan Africa	4.63	0.11	4.83	4.42	7.29	0.72	56.50	0.74	0.05	0.85	2.43	0.23	0.58	0.25	0.43	0.22	0.06	2.86
121	Kenya	Sub-Saharan Africa	4.61	0.07	4.75	4.47	8.36	0.69	60.70	0.78	0.29	0.83	2.43	0.60	0.51	0.39	0.48	0.38	0.07	2.18
122	Tunisia	Middle East and North Africa	4.60	0.06	4.71	4.48	9.27	0.69	67.20	0.66	-0.20	0.87	2.43	0.92	0.52	0.59	0.33	0.06	0.04	2.14
123	Lebanon	Middle East and North Africa	4.58	0.06	4.69	4.48	9.63	0.85	67.36	0.53	-0.07	0.90	2.43	1.05	0.87	0.60	0.18	0.14	0.03	1.74
124	Namibia	Sub-Saharan Africa	4.57	0.06	4.70	4.45	9.16	0.82	56.80	0.72	-0.15	0.85	2.43	0.88	0.80	0.26	0.41	0.09	0.06	2.07
125	Palestinian Territories	Middle East and North Africa	4.52	0.07	4.65	4.38	8.49	0.83	62.25	0.65	-0.16	0.82	2.43	0.65	0.82	0.43	0.33	0.08	0.08	2.13
126	Myanmar	Southeast Asia	4.43	0.05	4.53	4.32	8.54	0.78	59.30	0.88	0.51	0.66	2.43	0.67	0.71	0.34	0.60	0.52	0.18	1.41
127	Jordan	Middle East and North Africa	4.40	0.06	4.52	4.27	9.18	0.77	67.00	0.76	-0.17	0.71	2.43	0.89	0.69	0.58	0.46	0.08	0.15	1.55
128	Chad	Sub-Saharan Africa	4.36	0.09	4.54	4.17	7.36	0.62	48.48	0.58	0.04	0.81	2.43	0.26	0.35	0.00	0.24	0.22	0.08	3.21
129	Sri Lanka	South Asia	4.33	0.07	4.45	4.20	9.47	0.83	67.30	0.84	0.08	0.86	2.43	0.99	0.82	0.59	0.56	0.24	0.05	1.08
130	Swaziland	Sub-Saharan Africa	4.31	0.07	4.45	4.17	9.07	0.77	50.83	0.65	-0.19	0.71	2.43	0.85	0.69	0.07	0.32	0.07	0.15	2.16
131	Comoros	Sub-Saharan Africa	4.29	0.08	4.45	4.12	8.03	0.63	57.35	0.55	0.08	0.78	2.43	0.49	0.37	0.28	0.20	0.24	0.10	2.61
132	Egypt	Middle East and North Africa	4.28	0.05	4.37	4.20	9.37	0.75	62.00	0.75	-0.18	0.80	2.43	0.95	0.65	0.43	0.45	0.07	0.09	1.65
133	Ethiopia	Sub-Saharan Africa	4.28	0.05	4.37	4.18	7.69	0.76	59.00	0.75	0.08	0.76	2.43	0.37	0.68	0.33	0.45	0.24	0.11	2.09
134	Mauritania	Sub-Saharan Africa	4.23	0.07	4.37	4.09	8.54	0.80	57.16	0.56	-0.11	0.73	2.43	0.67	0.75	0.27	0.22	0.12	0.13	2.07
135	Madagascar	Sub-Saharan Africa	4.21	0.07	4.35	4.07	7.40	0.69	59.31	0.55	-0.01	0.80	2.43	0.27	0.50	0.34	0.21	0.19	0.09	2.62
136	Togo	Sub-Saharan Africa	4.11	0.08	4.26	3.96	7.36	0.57	54.91	0.62	0.03	0.77	2.43	0.25	0.24	0.20	0.29	0.21	0.11	2.81
137	Zambia	Sub-Saharan Africa	4.07	0.07	4.21	3.94	8.15	0.71	55.81	0.78	0.06	0.82	2.43	0.53	0.55	0.23	0.49	0.23	0.07	1.98
138	Sierra Leone	Sub-Saharan Africa	3.85	0.08	4.00	3.70	7.43	0.63	51.65	0.72	0.08	0.87	2.43	0.28	0.38	0.10	0.41	0.24	0.05	2.40
139	India	South Asia	3.82	0.03	3.87	3.77	8.76	0.60	60.63	0.89	0.09	0.77	2.43	0.74	0.32	0.38	0.62	0.25	0.11	1.41
140	Burundi	Sub-Saharan Africa	3.78	0.11	3.99	3.57	6.64	0.49	53.40	0.63	-0.02	0.61	2.43	0.00	0.06	0.16	0.30	0.17	0.21	2.88
141	Yemen	Middle East and North Africa	3.66	0.07	3.79	3.52	7.58	0.83	57.12	0.60	-0.15	0.80	2.43	0.33	0.83	0.27	0.27	0.09	0.09	1.78
142	Tanzania	Sub-Saharan Africa	3.62	0.07	3.76	3.49	7.88	0.70	58.00	0.83	0.18	0.58	2.43	0.43	0.54	0.30	0.55	0.31	0.23	1.26
143	Haiti	Latin America and Caribbean	3.62	0.17	3.95	3.28	7.48	0.54	55.70	0.59	0.42	0.72	2.43	0.29	0.17	0.23	0.26	0.46	0.14	2.06
144	Malawi	Sub-Saharan Africa	3.60	0.09	3.78	3.42	6.96	0.54	57.95	0.78	0.04	0.73	2.43	0.11	0.17	0.30	0.48	0.21	0.13	2.19
145	Lesotho	Sub-Saharan Africa	3.51	0.12	3.75	3.28	7.93	0.79	48.70	0.72	-0.13	0.92	2.43	0.45	0.73	0.01	0.41	0.10	0.02	1.80
146	Botswana	Sub-Saharan Africa	3.47	0.07	3.61	3.32	9.78	0.78	59.27	0.82	-0.25	0.80	2.43	1.10	0.72	0.34	0.54	0.03	0.09	0.65
147	Rwanda	Sub-Saharan Africa	3.42	0.07	3.55	3.28	7.68	0.55	61.40	0.90	0.06	0.17	2.43	0.36	0.20	0.41	0.63	0.23	0.49	1.10
148	Zimbabwe	Sub-Saharan Africa	3.15	0.06	3.26	3.03	7.94	0.75	56.20	0.68	-0.05	0.82	2.43	0.46	0.65	0.24	0.36	0.16	0.08	1.21
149	Afghanistan	South Asia	2.52	0.04	2.60	2.45	7.70	0.46	52.49	0.38	-0.10	0.92	2.43	0.37	0.00	0.13	0.00	0.12	0.01	1.90

Rank – Country rank by happiness.
Country – Country Name.
Region – Global Regional Indicator.
Ladder score – The main happiness measure, based on the Cantril ladder where people rate their life on a scale from 0 (worst possible life) to 10 (best possible life).
Standard error of ladder score – The statistical margin of error for the Ladder score, showing the level of uncertainty in the reported happiness levels.
Upperwhisker – The upper bound of the confidence interval for the Ladder score, representing a higher possible estimate.
Lowerwhisker – The lower bound of the confidence interval for the Ladder score, representing a lower possible estimate.
Logged GDP per capita – The natural logarithm of a country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, used to measure economic wealth.
Social support – The extent to which people feel they have someone to count on in times of trouble.
Healthy life expectancy – The average number of years a person can expect to live in good health.
Freedom to make life choices – The perceived level of personal freedom, measured by how much people feel they have control over their life decisions.
Generosity – The level of charitable giving and volunteering, based on survey responses about recent donations.
Perceptions of corruption – The level of trust in government and business, based on how corrupt people perceive them to be.
Ladder score in Dystopia – A hypothetical lowest possible happiness level (set at 2.43) used as a baseline for comparisons.
Explained by: Log GDP per capita – The part of the Ladder score that can be attributed to economic wealth.
Explained by: Social support – The part of the Ladder score explained by the presence of supportive relationships.
Explained by: Healthy life expectancy – The part of the Ladder score due to health and longevity.
Explained by: Freedom to make life choices – The portion of happiness attributed to perceived freedom and autonomy.
Explained by: Generosity – The part of happiness that is explained by acts of generosity.
Explained by: Perceptions of corruption – The effect of trust and corruption perceptions on overall happiness.
Dystopia + residual – A measure capturing everything unexplained by the above factors, ensuring all countries’ ladder scores add up correctly.

Source	https://worldhappiness.report/ed/2021/
Geo	Global
Entries	149
Columns	21
Date Sourced	2021
Last Updated	Mar 9, 2025

Insights

Use Cases

Despite the upheaval caused by COVID-19, Finland maintained its top ranking, with other Nordic countries continuing to perform strongly. These nations were characterised by resilient public services, transparent communication, and high levels of mutual trust — all of which contributed to their citizens reporting higher life satisfaction.

The report noted that countries with lower infection and fatality rates tended to rank higher in subjective well-being. Conversely, nations with limited healthcare capacity, low institutional trust, or high levels of inequality saw steeper declines in happiness scores. Importantly, the pandemic also shifted the weight of certain variables — such as perceived freedom and generosity — which showed stronger associations with well-being during crisis conditions.

Access the full report here: World Happiness Report 2021.

Top 10 Happiest Countries in 2021:

Finland – 7.84
Denmark – 7.62
Switzerland – 7.57
Iceland – 7.55
Netherlands – 7.46
Norway – 7.39
Sweden – 7.36
Luxembourg – 7.32
New Zealand – 7.28
Austria – 7.27

Bottom 10 Happiest Countries in 2021:

Afghanistan – 2.52
Zimbabwe – 3.15
Rwanda – 3.42
Botswana – 3.47
Lesotho – 3.51
Malawi – 3.60
Haiti – 3.62
Tanzania – 3.62
Yemen – 3.66
India – 3.78

Education & Research

Curriculum Development: Integrate findings into courses on sociology, psychology, and public health to discuss the impact of social connections on well-being.
Further Research: Investigate the causal relationships between communal activities and happiness levels across different cultures.

Policy Making

Community Programs: Develop initiatives that encourage communal dining and social gatherings to strengthen community bonds.
Mental Health Services: Address the rising trend of social isolation, especially among youth, by providing accessible mental health resources.

Media & Journalism

Public Awareness: Highlight stories that showcase acts of kindness and community support to foster a more optimistic societal outlook.
Data Visualisation: Create infographics and interactive content to present the report's findings in an engaging manner.

General Public

Community Engagement: Participate in local events, volunteer opportunities, and communal meals to enhance personal well-being.
Foster Trust: Recognise and appreciate acts of kindness in daily life, contributing to a more trusting and connected community.

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