DUBLIN, Ireland: Ireland has risen two places to become the 15th happiest country in the world, according to the World Happiness Report 2025, released this week by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford.

The latest report once again places Nordic countries at the top, with Finland holding the title of the happiest nation for the eighth consecutive year. Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden also retained their positions in the top four.

The rankings are based on self-reported life evaluations gathered through a global survey conducted in partnership with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Respondents rated their overall satisfaction with life, taking additional factors such as income, social support, and personal freedoms into account.

"Happiness is not just about wealth or growth — it is about trust, connection, and knowing people have your back," said Jon Clifton, chief executive of Gallup. "If we want stronger communities and economies, we must invest in what truly matters: each other."

Among other key findings, researchers highlighted the importance of social support and household size in predicting happiness. The study found that in Europe and Mexico, households of four to five people reported the highest levels of life satisfaction. The belief that others will act with kindness—such as returning a lost wallet—was also identified as a strong predictor of national happiness.

While European nations dominate the top 20, there were some notable shifts. Costa Rica and Mexico entered the top 10 for the first time, ranking sixth and tenth, respectively. Meanwhile, Israel held its place at eighth, despite the ongoing conflict with Hamas.

The United States saw a significant decline, falling to 24th place—its lowest position in the report's history. In 2012, the U.S. ranked 11th. The report attributes part of this decline to increasing social isolation, with data showing a 53 percent rise in Americans dining alone over the past two decades. The United Kingdom also reported its lowest average life evaluation since 2017, ranking 23rd.

At the bottom of the list, Afghanistan remains the unhappiest country, followed by Sierra Leone and Lebanon. The report also highlighted a concerning trend: globally, 19 percent of young adults in 2023 reported having no one to rely on for social support, a 39 percent increase since 2006.

Rankings were based on data collected between 2022 and 2024, with researchers analyzing factors such as GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, personal freedoms, and perceptions of corruption to explain variations in happiness across countries.