Nigeria ranked 105th out of 147 countries in the 2025 World Happiness Report. Finland remains the happiest nation, followed by Denmark and Iceland. Costa Rica and Mexico entered the top 10 for the first time. The U.S. ranked 24th, experiencing a decline in happiness, while Afghanistan ranked last. The report highlights the need for better social cohesion and well-being policies.

Nigeria has secured the 105th position out of 147 countries in the 2025 World Happiness Report, released on Thursday, March 20. This comprehensive report was put together by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford in collaboration with Gallup, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and an independent editorial board. The rankings are based on a detailed evaluation of social, physical, and emotional well-being factors.

Finland continues to lead as the world's happiest country, maintaining its top spot, followed by Denmark and Iceland in the second and third positions, respectively. These three nations have consistently ranked high due to their strong social support systems, high levels of trust in government, low levels of corruption, and overall high standards of living.

The top four countries—Finland, Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden—retained their positions from the 2024 rankings, reflecting stable and effective societal structures that prioritize citizens' well-being. Norway, known for its balanced work-life environment and strong welfare state, secured the seventh position, slightly lower than previous years but still within the top ten.

Notably, for the first time in the history of the World Happiness Report, two Latin American countries made it into the top 10. Costa Rica secured the 6th spot, celebrated for its strong emphasis on environmental sustainability, education, and healthcare. Mexico clinched the 10th position, attributed to its strong cultural ties, family connections, and community support, despite facing significant challenges in terms of security and economic inequality.

Other countries in the top 10 include the Netherlands at No. 5, recognized for its liberal policies, effective governance, and high quality of life; Israel at No. 8, noted for its strong community bonds and technological advancements; and Luxembourg at No. 9, credited with its wealth, low unemployment rates, and robust healthcare system.

The United States, which last year fell out of the top 20 for the first time, now ranks at No. 24. The country previously achieved its highest ranking of No. 11 in 2012, but recent years have seen a gradual decline in overall happiness, attributed to increasing social polarization, declining trust in institutions, and a significant rise—about 53%—in the number of Americans dining alone over the past two decades.

This decline in happiness is not confined to the United States alone. The United Kingdom, now positioned at No. 23, recorded its lowest average life satisfaction since 2017. The report attributes this decline to the economic instability and social challenges brought on by Brexit, as well as the residual impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Canada, which has experienced a consistent decrease in happiness over the past decade, managed to stay within the top 20, ranking at No. 18.

At the other end of the spectrum, Afghanistan was ranked last at No. 147, reflecting the severe ongoing conflicts, economic hardships, and humanitarian crises in the country. Sierra Leone, Lebanon, Malawi, and Zimbabwe also ranked among the lowest, with positions 146, 145, 144, and 143, respectively. These countries continue to struggle with economic instability, inadequate healthcare systems, political turmoil, and severe poverty, contributing to their low happiness scores.

The 2025 World Happiness Report underscores the importance of social cohesion, effective governance, and sustainable development in enhancing the well-being of populations worldwide. It also sheds light on the growing disparities in happiness levels across different regions, urging policymakers to prioritize mental health, economic equity, and community well-being in their development agendas.