Vietnam ranks as the second happiest country in Southeast Asia according to the 2025 World Happiness Report, improving from 54th to 46th globally. Finland remains the happiest country, while the US experiences its lowest ranking at 24th. Key factors influencing happiness include health, wealth, and social connections, revealing alarming trends in social support among youth.
According to the 2025 World Happiness Report released on March 21, 2025, Vietnam has been positioned as the second happiest nation in Southeast Asia, with Singapore taking the lead. The report assessed 143 countries and territories, highlighting Vietnam’s notable ascent from the 54th to the 46th rank globally, marking it as one of the significant gainers this year alongside China, Mongolia, and the Philippines.
Finland continues to dominate as the happiest nation worldwide for the eighth consecutive year, with Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden following in the ranks. The majority of European countries maintain strong positions in the top 20, illustrating a high level of life satisfaction among their residents. Notably, Israel achieved eighth place despite the ongoing conflict with Hamas, while Costa Rica and Mexico enter the top 10 for the first time, claiming sixth and tenth places, respectively.
In stark contrast, the United States has experienced a decline, landing at its lowest-ever rank of 24th. The report highlights a significant societal change, noting a 53 percent rise in the number of Americans dining alone over the past 20 years. At the bottom of the happiness rankings, Afghanistan remains the least happy country, preceded by Sierra Leone and Lebanon.
The rankings are derived from self-reported life satisfaction assessments conducted by the Wellbeing Research Centre at Oxford University, in collaboration with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Jon Clifton, CEO of Gallup, stated that true happiness transcends economic wealth, encompassing trust and social relationships.
Factors contributing to happiness include health, economic status, and community support, such as shared meals and household size. Research indicates a strong connection between trust in others and happiness, with individuals believing in others’ kindness reporting higher satisfaction in life. However, a concerning trend emerged, revealing that 19 percent of young people globally in 2023 reported lacking social support, a 39 percent rise since 2006.
The 2025 World Happiness Report positions Vietnam as a rising force in Southeast Asia’s happiness landscape, trailing only Singapore. The report highlights the crucial role of social connections and trust in overall satisfaction, while also indicating troubling trends among youth isolation. Overall, it emphasizes that fostering strong communities is essential for enhancing happiness and life satisfaction across nations.
Original Source: asianews.network
