The annual happiness report from the Wellbeing Research Centre at Oxford shows Nordic countries like Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden at the top of the rankings. Ireland has improved its position to 15th, while the UK dropped to 23rd with its lowest happiness score since 2017. Key factors influencing happiness include community trust, social connections, and household size. The belief in communal kindness is closely associated with happiness levels, and surprising evidence shows that actual rates of kindness, like returning lost wallets, are higher than people's pessimistic expectations.
"Happiness isn't just about wealth or growth - it's about trust, connection and knowing people have your back," said Jon Clifton, the chief executive of Gallup. "If we want stronger communities and economies, we must invest in what truly matters: each other."
Researchers say that beyond health and wealth, some factors that influence happiness sound deceptively simple - sharing meals with others, having somebody to count on for social support and household size.
Believing in the kindness of others is also much more closely tied to happiness than previously thought, according to the latest findings.
Nordic nations rank among the top places for expected and actual return of lost wallets, the study found.
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