A citizen enjoys the sun on the stairs of the Helsinki Cathedral on Wednesday, 19th Marcuh, 2025 / Lehtikuva
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Finland has been named the world’s happiest country for the eighth consecutive year, according to the 2025 World Happiness Report. The United States dropped to 24th place, its lowest position since the report began.
The latest edition, released on 20 March, assessed 143 countries based on gross domestic product, life expectancy, social support, generosity, freedom to make life choices, and perceptions of corruption.
The findings were drawn from Gallup World Poll data and compiled by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and the Netherlands followed Finland in the top five. Costa Rica, Norway, Israel, Luxembourg and Mexico completed the top ten. The United Kingdom placed ahead of the US, along with Ireland, Canada and the United Arab Emirates. France, Spain, Italy and Brazil ranked lower.
Finland’s continued position at the top is attributed by residents to specific cultural habits and lifestyle practices. According to interviews and commentary published in the New York Post, many Finns point to four main contributors to their national wellbeing.
The first is seasonal exposure to sunlight. Although Finland experiences extended periods of darkness during the winter, summers bring near-constant daylight, particularly in the north. This natural cycle is linked to mental health benefits through the increased production of serotonin and vitamin D, both of which influence mood and cognitive function.
The New York Post notes that Finns take full advantage of this seasonal change, engaging in outdoor activity and daylight exposure during the summer months. This rhythm, while challenging, contributes to a mental health balance over the year.
A second factor is the widespread use of saunas. Finland, with a population of 5.5 million, has more than 3 million saunas, according to estimates cited in the New York Post. Sauna sessions often involve exposure to temperatures of over 100 degrees Celsius, followed by cold immersion — either in lakes, snow, or showers.
The article reports that this traditional practice is linked to cardiovascular health, improved circulation, stress relief and better sleep. A 2024 study mentioned by the New York Post also found that regular sauna use may help women avoid weight gain during menopause.
Nature is the third element frequently mentioned by Finns. According to the New York Post, residents often say their proximity to forests, lakes and other natural landscapes contributes directly to their happiness.
“When you are unplugging, your brain is in alpha wave mode, i.e., in active problem-solving mode and figuring out innovative solutions,” Emma Seppälä, a happiness expert, told Business Finland, as cited in the New York Post. She added that this period of relaxation supports creativity and mental clarity. Both forests and saunas were described as integral to this “antistress lifestyle.”
The fourth component is “sisu,” a Finnish term describing determination and perseverance through adversity. Emilia Lahti, a researcher at Aalto University in Helsinki, told the BBC that sisu represents energy and resolve in the face of challenges. The New York Post reported that this cultural concept helps Finns maintain a proactive approach to difficulties throughout the year.
“It is a special thing that is reserved for especially challenging moments,” Lahti said. “When we feel that we came to the end point of our preconceived capacities.”
These cultural habits exist alongside public policies that support wellbeing, including universal healthcare, low levels of income inequality and access to subsidised higher education.
According to the New York Post, the US drop in the rankings is linked to factors including lower social trust, increased political polarisation, and mental health concerns. The report found a significant decline in life satisfaction among younger Americans, particularly those under 30. In this age group, the US no longer ranks in the top 20.
Finland, by contrast, maintains high rankings across most age groups. The report also found that people aged 60 and older report higher life satisfaction than those under 30 in most countries, a trend that has widened in recent years.
The 2025 report lists Afghanistan as the least happy country, followed by Lebanon, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe. Countries facing conflict or internal displacement remain at the bottom of the index.
Respondents to the Gallup World Poll were asked to rate their lives on a scale from 0 to 10, with 10 being the best possible life. The report’s data was compiled over a three-year period.
The World Happiness Report was first published in 2012. It is released annually on 20 March to mark the International Day of Happiness, established by the United Nations General Assembly.
The New York Post article, authored by Carly Stern and Diana Bruk, was published on 20 March 2025.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
