World Happiness Ranking: Israel Rises, Ukraine Falls, Finland First Again

International research groups have published an updated happiness ranking. The work involved the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, the Gallup Institute of Public Opinion, and the UN Sustainable Development Network. They once again checked what people call happiness — not by theory, but by direct responses from respondents.

The methodology is simple: measuring quality of life, psycho-emotional state, economic stability, and personal perception of the future. Surveys provide a picture that does not always coincide with the news agenda.

Finland holds the first place. It is followed by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Costa Rica looks a bit more unexpected, but researchers note: high happiness there is maintained not by income, but by social balance and level of trust.

Also in the top ten are Norway, Israel, Luxembourg, and Mexico. Israel has risen — now seventh. The war did not affect the indicators. On the contrary, analysts note a paradox: instability sometimes enhances the sense of unity and personal significance, which is reflected in the citizens’ responses.

Ukraine is 111th. The war, losses, economic burden, and constant emotional pressure take their toll. Russia is 66th. Lithuania holds the 16th place and remains the “happiest” among the former USSR republics.

The worst situation is in Afghanistan. Slightly higher are Sierra Leone and Lebanon. In these countries, happiness ratings fall year after year: instability, lack of prospects, high stress levels.

Detailed ranking data, explanations of the methodology, and regional breakdowns are discussed in the extended version of the material on NAnews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency, where all key figures and country comparisons are collected.