Special Report

Happiest Countries in the World

gpointstudio / iStock

The Declaration of Independence triumphantly declares the “pursuit of happiness” as an inalienable right. But what does happiness mean to a larger community, beyond an individual’s own feeling of joy, satisfaction, or contentment?

Economists and social scientists tend to point to several factors that help define the level of “happiness” in large populations. A country’s life expectancy at birth is one popular measure because it suggests a population living a healthy, stress-free life. Economic activity is also a factor, as is a lack of institutional corruption and an array of individual freedoms.

To determine the 50 happiest countries in the world, 24/7 Tempo reviewed The World Happiness Report, a publication of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, for 2022. The report, which uses Gallup World Poll data, evaluated some 146 countries. (Data for Luxembourg, Kuwait, and Guatemala is for 2019.) The report is based on six variables: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and corruption. 

We added 2020 GDP per capita data, in current international dollars based on the purchasing power parity method, from the World Bank. Life expectancy at birth for 2019 (pre-pandemic) is also from the World Bank. Each country’s 2021 democracy index came from the Economist Intelligence Unit; each country’s 2021 corruption perception index came from Transparency International.

The happiest countries in the world tend to share similar qualities. They’re usually richer due to more economic activity generating more national wealth. Their people tend to live lives that are longer, healthier, and less stressful. Happier countries also tend toward democratic institutions with higher levels of government transparency. (They are also usually the world’s safest countries.)

Click here to see the happiest countries in the world

But these correlations don’t always apply. Saudi Arabia ranks very low on the democracy Index, but it’s the 25th happiest country according to the World Happiness Report. The absolute monarchy also ranks 19th in GDP per capita, according to the World Bank. More economic output doesn’t automatically push a country higher on the happiness list, either. For example, Singapore had the second-highest GDP per capita in 2020, but it ranks 27th for its happiness score.

But it’s undeniable that wealthier countries tend to have happier people. The average per capita gross domestic product for the top 50 happiest countries was $43,228 compared to $6,311 for the “least happy” countries, according to the most recent World Bank data. (These are the richest countries in the world.)

 

ArloMagicman / Getty Images

50. Kuwait
> Happiness score: 6.106
> GDP per capita, 2020: $47,307 – #18 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 75.5 years – #64 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 3.91 – #42 lowest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 43 – #58 best of 143 countries

moxelotle / iStock via Getty Images

49. El Salvador
> Happiness score: 6.120
> GDP per capita, 2020: $8,420 – #44 lowest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 73.3 years – #60 lowest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 5.72 – #71 lowest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 34 – #51 worst of 143 countries

Xantana / iStock via Getty Images

48. Poland
> Happiness score: 6.123
> GDP per capita, 2020: $34,240 – #36 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 77.9 years – #41 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 6.80 – #47 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 56 – #35 best of 143 countries

[in-text-ad-2]

sorincolac / iStock via Getty Images

47. Croatia
> Happiness score: 6.125
> GDP per capita, 2020: $28,842 – #43 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 78.4 years – #38 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 6.50 – #52 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 47 – #51 best of 143 countries

diegograndi / iStock via Getty Images

46. Mexico
> Happiness score: 6.128
> GDP per capita, 2020: $18,444 – #58 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 75.1 years – #71 lowest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 5.57 – #66 lowest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 31 – #42 worst of 143 countries

[in-text-ad]

Mlenny / E+ via Getty Images

45. Nicaragua
> Happiness score: 6.165
> GDP per capita, 2020: $5,570 – #36 lowest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 74.5 years – #68 lowest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 2.69 – #19 lowest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 20 – #8 worst of 143 countries

kavram / iStock via Getty Images

44. Chile
> Happiness score: 6.172
> GDP per capita, 2020: $25,110 – #49 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 80.2 years – #31 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 7.92 – #25 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 67 – #25 best of 143 countries

mareandmare / iStock via Getty Images

43. Serbia
> Happiness score: 6.178
> GDP per capita, 2020: $19,107 – #57 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 75.7 years – #63 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 6.36 – #59 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 38 – #69 worst of 143 countries

[in-text-ad-2]

Marcus Lindstrom / E+ via Getty Images

42. Latvia
> Happiness score: 6.180
> GDP per capita, 2020: $31,464 – #40 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 75.2 years – #68 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 7.31 – #37 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 59 – #31 best of 143 countries

trabantos / iStock via Getty Images

41. Cyprus
> Happiness score: 6.221
> GDP per capita, 2020: $39,453 – #32 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 81 years – #27 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 7.43 – #36 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 53 – #42 best of 143 countries

[in-text-ad]

janetheone / iStock via Getty Images

40. Kazakhstan
> Happiness score: 6.234
> GDP per capita, 2020: $26,754 – #48 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 73.2 years – #59 lowest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 3.08 – #28 lowest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 37 – #63 worst of 143 countries

THEPALMER / E+ via Getty Images

39. Guatemala
> Happiness score: 6.262
> GDP per capita, 2020: $8,854 – #46 lowest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 74.3 years – #66 lowest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 4.62 – #53 lowest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 25 – #19 worst of 143 countries

Yuri de Mesquita Bar / iStock via Getty Images

38. Brazil
> Happiness score: 6.293
> GDP per capita, 2020: $14,835 – #68 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 75.9 years – #61 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 6.86 – #44 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 38 – #69 worst of 143 countries

[in-text-ad-2]

helovi / iStock via Getty Images

37. Panama
> Happiness score: 6.309
> GDP per capita, 2020: $26,782 – #47 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 78.5 years – #36 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 6.85 – #45 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 36 – #60 worst of 143 countries

Xantana / iStock via Getty Images

36. Estonia
> Happiness score: 6.341
> GDP per capita, 2020: $37,601 – #35 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 78.5 years – #37 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 7.84 – #27 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 74 – #13 best of 143 countries

[in-text-ad]

benedek / iStock via Getty Images

35. Slovak Republic
> Happiness score: 6.391
> GDP per capita, 2020: $31,356 – #41 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 77.5 years – #43 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 7.03 – #42 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 52 – #45 best of 143 countries

ewg3D / E+ via Getty Images

34. Lithuania
> Happiness score: 6.446
> GDP per capita, 2020: $38,883 – #33 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 76.1 years – #59 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 7.18 – #39 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 61 – #29 best of 143 countries

Cristian Mircea Balate / iStock via Getty Images

33. Malta
> Happiness score: 6.447
> GDP per capita, 2020: $41,741 – #28 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 82.6 years – #12 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 7.57 – #32 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 54 – #39 best of 143 countries

[in-text-ad-2]

Scott Biales / iStock via Getty Images

32. Kosovo
> Happiness score: 6.455
> GDP per capita, 2020: $11,388 – #56 lowest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 72.5 years – #54 lowest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: No data
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 39 – #68 best of 143 countries

RudyBalasko / iStock via Getty Images

31. Italy
> Happiness score: 6.467
> GDP per capita, 2020: $41,829 – #27 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 83.2 years – #7 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 7.68 – #31 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 56 – #35 best of 143 countries

[in-text-ad]

R.M. Nunes / iStock via Getty Images

30. Uruguay
> Happiness score: 6.474
> GDP per capita, 2020: $22,794 – #51 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 77.9 years – #40 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 8.85 – #13 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 73 – #18 best of 143 countries

Eloi_Omella / E+ via Getty Images

29. Spain
> Happiness score: 6.476
> GDP per capita, 2020: $37,766 – #34 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 83.5 years – #5 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 7.94 – #24 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 61 – #29 best of 143 countries

frankpeters / iStock via Getty Images

28. Romania
> Happiness score: 6.477
> GDP per capita, 2020: $32,116 – #39 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 75.5 years – #65 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 6.43 – #57 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 45 – #53 best of 143 countries

[in-text-ad-2]

TommL / E+ via Getty Images

27. Singapore
> Happiness score: 6.480
> GDP per capita, 2020: $98,520 – #2 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 83.5 years – #4 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 6.23 – #61 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 85 – #4 best of 143 countries

StockByM / iStock via Getty Images

26. Taiwan
> Happiness score: 6.512
> GDP per capita, 2020: No data
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: No data
> Democracy index: 8.99 – #8 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 68 – #24 best of 143 countries

[in-text-ad]

MOHAMED HUSSAIN YOUNIS / iStock via Getty Images

25. Saudi Arabia
> Happiness score: 6.523
> GDP per capita, 2020: $46,760 – #20 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 75.1 years – #69 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 2.08 – #10 lowest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 53 – #42 best of 143 countries

DieterMeyrl / E+ via Getty Images

24. United Arab Emirates
> Happiness score: 6.576
> GDP per capita, 2020: $66,771 – #5 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 78.0 years – #39 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 2.90 – #23 lowest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 69 – #23 best of 143 countries

Kevin Wells / iStock via Getty Images

23. Costa Rica
> Happiness score: 6.582
> GDP per capita, 2020: $22,132 – #52 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 80.3 years – #30 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 8.07 – #20 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 58 – #33 best of 143 countries

[in-text-ad-2]

kasto80 / iStock via Getty Images

22. Slovenia
> Happiness score: 6.630
> GDP per capita, 2020: $39,769 – #30 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 81.3 years – #24 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 7.54 – #34 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 57 – #34 best of 143 countries

typhoonski / iStock via Getty Images

21. Bahrain
> Happiness score: 6.647
> GDP per capita, 2020: $43,756 – #25 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 77.3 years – #45 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 2.52 – #16 lowest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 42 – #62 best of 143 countries

[in-text-ad]

StockByM / iStock via Getty Images

20. France
> Happiness score: 6.687
> GDP per capita, 2020: $46,983 – #19 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 82.6 years – #13 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 7.99 – #22 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 71 – #22 best of 143 countries

tunart / E+ via Getty Images

19. Belgium
> Happiness score: 6.805
> GDP per capita, 2020: $53,035 – #16 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 81.7 years – #22 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 7.51 – #35 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 73 – #18 best of 143 countries

Eloi_Omella / E+ via Getty Images

18. Czech Republic
> Happiness score: 6.920
> GDP per capita, 2020: $41,604 – #29 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 79.1 years – #32 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 7.74 – #29 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 54 – #39 best of 143 countries

[in-text-ad-2]

Vladislav Zolotov / iStock via Getty Images

17. United Kingdom
> Happiness score: 6.943
> GDP per capita, 2020: $46,483 – #22 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 81.2 years – #25 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 8.10 – #18 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 78 – #11 best of 143 countries

rarrarorro / iStock via Getty Images

16. United States
> Happiness score: 6.977
> GDP per capita, 2020: $63,593 – #6 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 78.8 years – #34 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 7.85 – #26 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 67 – #25 best of 143 countries

[in-text-ad]

Aolin Chen / iStock via Getty Images

15. Canada
> Happiness score: 7.025
> GDP per capita, 2020: $46,611 – #21 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 82.0 years – #17 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 8.87 – #12 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 74 – #13 best of 143 countries

bluejayphoto / iStock via Getty Images

14. Germany
> Happiness score: 7.034
> GDP per capita, 2020: $54,792 – #13 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 80.9 years – #28 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 8.67 – #15 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 80 – #10 best of 143 countries

jenifoto / iStock via Getty Images

13. Ireland
> Happiness score: 7.041
> GDP per capita, 2020: $93,181 – #3 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 82.3 years – #16 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 9.00 – #7 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 74 – #13 best of 143 countries

[in-text-ad-2]

Yiran An / iStock via Getty Images

12. Australia
> Happiness score: 7.162
> GDP per capita, 2020: $53,330 – #15 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 82.9 years – #10 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 8.90 – #9 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 73 – #18 best of 143 countries

SHansche / iStock via Getty Images

11. Austria
> Happiness score: 7.163
> GDP per capita, 2020: $55,684 – #11 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 81.8 years – #20 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 8.07 – #20 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 74 – #13 best of 143 countries

[in-text-ad]

primeimages / E+ via Getty Images

10. New Zealand
> Happiness score: 7.200
> GDP per capita, 2020: $44,491 – #24 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 81.7 years – #23 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 9.37 – #2 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 88 – #1 best of 143 countries

RudyBalasko / iStock via Getty Images

9. Israel
> Happiness score: 7.364
> GDP per capita, 2020: $39,482 – #31 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 82.8 years – #11 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 7.97 – #23 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 59 – #31 best of 143 countries

cookelma / iStock via Getty Images

8. Norway
> Happiness score: 7.365
> GDP per capita, 2020: $62,645 – #7 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 82.9 years – #9 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 9.75 – #1 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 85 – #4 best of 143 countries

[in-text-ad-2]

scanrail / iStock via Getty Images

7. Sweden
> Happiness score: 7.384
> GDP per capita, 2020: $55,038 – #12 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 83.0 years – #8 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 9.26 – #4 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 85 – #4 best of 143 countries

querbeet / iStock via Getty Images

6. Luxembourg
> Happiness score: 7.404
> GDP per capita, 2020: $117,500 – #1 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 82.4 years – #15 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 8.68 – #14 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 81 – #9 best of 143 countries

[in-text-ad]

Yasonya / iStock via Getty Images

5. Netherlands
> Happiness score: 7.415
> GDP per capita, 2020: $59,268 – #9 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 82.0 years – #18 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 8.88 – #11 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 82 – #8 best of 143 countries

extravagantni / iStock via Getty Images

4. Switzerland
> Happiness score: 7.512
> GDP per capita, 2020: $71,743 – #4 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 83.7 years – #3 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 8.90 – #9 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 84 – #7 best of 143 countries

patpongs / iStock via Getty Images

3. Iceland
> Happiness score: 7.557
> GDP per capita, 2020: $53,622 – #14 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 82.6 years – #14 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 9.18 – #5 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 74 – #13 best of 143 countries

[in-text-ad-2]

mammuth / E+ via Getty Images

2. Denmark
> Happiness score: 7.636
> GDP per capita, 2020: $60,230 – #8 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 81.2 years – #26 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 9.09 – #6 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 88 – #1 best of 143 countries

scanrail / Getty Images

1. Finland
> Happiness score: 7.821
> GDP per capita, 2020: $50,506 – #17 highest of 139 countries
> Life expectancy at birth, 2019: 81.8 years – #21 highest of 141 countries
> Democracy index: 9.27 – #3 highest of 143 countries
> Corruption perception index, 2021: 88 – #1 best of 143 countries

Essential Tips for Investing (Sponsored)

A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. But expanding your horizons may add additional costs. If you’re an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.