World Happiness Report 2025: Finland Leads, India and South Asia Show Progress, China Holds Regional Edge

By Staff Reporter, June 13, 2025

The World Happiness Report 2025, released on March 20, 2025, to mark the International Day of Happiness, ranks 147 countries based on citizens’ self-reported life satisfaction. Published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, in partnership with Gallup, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and an independent editorial board, the report draws from Gallup World Poll data. It evaluates happiness through six key factors: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and perceptions of corruption. Themed “caring and sharing,” the 2025 report emphasizes community-driven well-being. Finland retains its title as the world’s happiest nation for the eighth year, while India, China, and South Asian countries present a mixed picture of progress and challenges. This article focuses on India, China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal, highlighting regional dynamics and key trends.

Global Context: Finland’s Dominance and Shifting Trends

Finland leads with a score of 7.741 out of 10, driven by strong social support, trust in governance, and personal freedom. Denmark (7.583) and Iceland (7.525) follow, with Nordic countries dominating the top ranks. Costa Rica (6th) and Mexico (10th) entered the top 10, signaling the growing influence of social bonds in happiness metrics. Conversely, the United States (24th) and United Kingdom (23rd) hit historic lows due to rising loneliness. Afghanistan ranks last (147th, 1.721), reflecting its humanitarian crisis. In this global landscape, India and South Asia show incremental gains, while China maintains a regional lead.

India: Rising but Trailing Neighbors

India ranks 118th out of 147 countries, a significant improvement from 126th in 2024 and 136th in 2021, with a happiness score of 4.389 (up from 4.054 for 2021–2023). This progress places India above Sri Lanka (133rd), Bangladesh (134th), and Afghanistan but below Nepal (92nd), Pakistan (109th), China (68th), and even war-affected Palestine (108th) and Ukraine (111th). India’s climb reflects gains in GDP per capita (93rd, up from 97th in 2022), personal freedom (23rd, a five-year high), and reduced corruption perceptions (56th, up from 71st).

Despite being the world’s fifth-largest economy ($3.7 trillion GDP), India’s ranking is hampered by weak social support, mental health challenges, and economic inequality. The report highlights India’s strengths in community bonds, ranking 57th in monetary generosity, 10th in volunteering, and 74th in helping strangers. However, low scores in meal sharing (132nd, averaging four shared meals per week) reflect urbanization and solitary dining trends, particularly among youth. Social trust is also strained, with India ranking 115th in the likelihood of a lost wallet being returned by neighbors and 93rd by police. Rising mental health concerns and work-life imbalances further weigh on scores.

Critics, including spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and economist Sanjiv Sanyal, argue the report’s Cantril Ladder methodology—where respondents rate their lives from 0 to 10—undervalues India’s cultural vibrancy and economic strides. Social media debates note India’s lower suicide rate (13.4 per 100,000) compared to Finland’s (15.1), questioning the metrics. India’s open democracy and media scrutiny may amplify dissatisfaction, lowering scores compared to less critical environments.

China: Regional Leader with Constraints

China ranks 68th, a slight decline from 60th in 2024, yet it remains the happiest among India’s neighbors. With a higher happiness score than India, China benefits from economic stability, high life expectancy, and state-driven social support systems. Its GDP per capita and healthy life expectancy outrank India’s, reflecting investments in infrastructure and healthcare. Older Chinese report higher life satisfaction than younger cohorts, unlike Western trends.

However, China’s score is tempered by low perceived freedom and high corruption perceptions, reflecting its authoritarian system. The report suggests state-controlled media and lower societal expectations may inflate self-reported happiness, as citizens may feel less critical of systemic issues. Compared to India, China ranks lower in generosity metrics like charitable donations, highlighting cultural differences in community-driven benevolence. Despite its decline, China’s ranking 50 places above India underscores the impact of material progress and stability on happiness.

South Asia: A Region of Contrasts

South Asia’s rankings reveal a region where social capital often outshines economic wealth. Nepal (92nd) leads the subregion, driven by strong social cohesion and generosity despite low GDP per capita. The report notes Nepal’s resilience post-COVID-19, with benevolent acts like volunteering rising during 2020–2022. Pakistan (109th) ranks above India, benefiting from community trust and resilience amid economic instability. Its higher social support and generosity scores contrast with India’s, despite similar socioeconomic challenges.

Sri Lanka (133rd) and Bangladesh (134th) rank below India, reflecting economic and governance crises. Sri Lanka’s drop from 128th in 2024 stems from its 2022 economic default, weakening social support and freedom. Bangladesh, despite steady economic growth, scores low on freedom and corruption perceptions, though its social support remains a strength. Younger Bangladeshis report lower happiness than older generations, a trend seen across South Asia. These rankings highlight that happiness in the region hinges on community ties and trust, not just wealth.

India vs. China and South Asia: Comparative Insights

India’s higher personal freedom (23rd) and generosity (57th in donations) compared to China reflect its democratic vibrancy and cultural emphasis on community. However, China’s superior GDP per capita, life expectancy, and state-driven social systems propel it far ahead. India’s economic inequality and mental health challenges contrast with China’s uniform progress, though the latter’s authoritarian constraints limit perceived freedom. Compared to South Asia, India lags behind Nepal and Pakistan due to weaker social trust but outperforms Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, where economic crises dominate.

The report’s subjective methodology may disadvantage India, where high aspirations and media scrutiny amplify dissatisfaction. China’s controlled environment and Nepal’s cultural cohesion may yield more consistent responses, boosting their rankings. For instance, India’s democracy allows open criticism, potentially lowering scores, while China’s system may suppress discontent.

Policy Implications and the Path Ahead

The World Happiness Report 2025 underscores “caring and sharing” as happiness drivers. For India, strengthening social support, addressing mental health, and reducing inequality are critical. Initiatives like mental health programs and equitable growth policies could boost rankings. China must balance economic success with greater freedoms to sustain its position. South Asian nations like Nepal and Pakistan can build on social cohesion, while Sri Lanka and Bangladesh need economic stabilization.

India’s rise to 118th is promising, but closing the gap with China (68th) or Nepal (92nd) requires tackling social trust and mental well-being. Simple acts like sharing meals, as emphasized in the report, could foster community bonds. Nordic models, blending trust and community, offer lessons for the region.

Conclusion

The World Happiness Report 2025 reaffirms that happiness stems from trust, support, and freedom, beyond mere wealth. Finland’s lead exemplifies this, while India’s climb to 118th reflects progress tempered by challenges. China’s 68th rank highlights stability’s benefits, constrained by freedom. South Asia’s mixed rankings—Nepal (92nd), Pakistan (109th), Sri Lanka (133rd), Bangladesh (134th)—underscore social capital’s role. For India, China, and their neighbors, fostering community resilience and addressing systemic gaps will pave the way to happier societies.