finance
United States Ranks 23rd in 2025 World Happiness Report After Decline from 11th in 2011
The United States has declined in global happiness rankings from 11th in 2011 to 23rd in 2025, according to the World Happiness Report. Rankings are based on three-year averages of life evaluation survey responses. Factors include post-pandemic effects, inflation, cost of living pressures, and declining wellbeing among younger Americans.
Apr 11, 7:35 AM·1m read1 source
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The World Happiness Report ranks countries based on life evaluation survey responses. The United States placed 11th in 2011 and maintained positions between 13th and 17th through 2016. From 2017 to 2020, it ranked 18th or 19th in four consecutive years.
The decline continued in recent years. The United States ranked 23rd in 2023, 24th in 2024, and 23rd in 2025. Overall, the 2025 ranking is 12 places lower than the 2011 ranking.
Methodology Each annual ranking in the World Happiness Report uses a three-year average of survey responses.
For example, the 2025 ranking reflects responses from 2023 to 2025. The report evaluates wellbeing through factors such as social support, income, health, freedom, generosity, and perceptions of corruption. The top rankings are consistently held by Nordic countries including Finland, Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden.
United States rankings from 2011 to 2025, based on data from the World Happiness Report 2026.
Contributing to the Decline The 2023 ranking, which covers responses from 2021 to 2023, occurred during the post-pandemic period, rising inflation, and increasing cost of living.
The World Happiness Report 2024 identified declining wellbeing among Americans under 30 as a key factor. Additional analysis in the reports links lower happiness to declining social trust.
These elements indicate connections to weaker social ties and lower trust, particularly affecting younger Americans.
The United States decline highlights trends in social and economic wellbeing. Stakeholders include policymakers, researchers, and public health organizations monitoring these indicators.
