A recent report from the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre reveals that while Pakistanis may not rank among the happiest people globally, they are among the happiest in South Asia. The World Happiness Report 2025, released on Thursday, ranks Pakistan 109th out of 147 countries surveyed, placing it second in South Asia, just behind Nepal, which ranks 91st.
The happiness rankings are based on a three-year average of self-reported life satisfaction, alongside factors such as GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and levels of corruption. Finland continues to hold the title of the happiest country for the eighth consecutive year, while the United States has dropped to 24th place, its lowest ranking ever. The report highlights a troubling rise in “deaths of despair” in the U.S., attributed to suicide and substance abuse, contrasting with declining rates in many other countries.
Afghanistan remains the unhappiest nation, grappling with a humanitarian crisis since the Taliban regained control in 2020. The findings are derived from data collected by the Gallup World Poll and other sources, analyzed by experts in wellbeing science.
In South Asia, India ranks 118th, Sri Lanka is at 133rd, and Bangladesh follows closely at 134th. Notably, Costa Rica and Mexico have entered the top 10 for the first time, ranking 6th and 10th, respectively.
The report indicates that Western industrialized nations are experiencing lower happiness levels compared to 2005-2010, with 15 countries showing significant declines. The UK, now at 23rd, has reported its lowest average life evaluation since 2017.
This year’s report emphasizes the importance of generosity and community kindness as significant predictors of happiness, often outweighing the impact of higher salaries. It suggests that people tend to underestimate the kindness of their communities, noting that the return rate of lost wallets is much higher than expected.
The report also discusses the rise in anti-system votes, linking it to declining life satisfaction and trust in others. It highlights a trend of increased loneliness among young people, with 19% of young adults globally reporting a lack of social support, a significant rise from 2006.
Family remains a crucial source of joy and support for many, with couples living with children or extended family reporting higher life satisfaction. Conversely, individuals living alone often experience lower happiness levels, and those in very large households may also face diminished economic satisfaction.
The analysis from the Pew Research Centre indicates a growing trend of multi-generational households in the U.S., increasing from 7% in 1971 to 18% in 2021. While such households are common in Asia, particularly in India and Pakistan, they account for about 30% of households in Europe and North America, though they are less prevalent in Canada and the UK.
