Vietnam ranked as the second happiest country in Southeast Asia in the 2025 World Happiness Report, advancing to 46th globally. Finland remains the world’s happiest nation, with Nordic countries dominating the top ranks. Notably, the US fell to 24th place, while 19% of youth reported no social support.
According to the 2025 World Happiness Report, Vietnam has been ranked as the second happiest country in Southeast Asia, following Singapore. The report evaluates 143 nations and territories, showing Vietnam’s significant improvement from 54th place in 2023 to 46th globally. The data highlights Vietnam alongside other top Asian gainers such as China, Mongolia, and the Philippines.
Finland continues to be recognized as the world’s happiest nation for the eighth consecutive year, while Nordic nations maintain a strong presence, with Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden also in the top four. The majority of European countries performed well, filling most of the upper ranks.
Amid ongoing conflicts, Israel achieved the eighth position, while Costa Rica and Mexico made first-time entries into the top 10, ranking sixth and tenth, respectively. In a notable decline, the United States dropped to its lowest rank of 24th, with a reported 53 percent increase in individuals dining alone over the past two decades.
At the lower end of the spectrum, Afghanistan maintained its status as the least happy country, followed closely by Sierra Leone and Lebanon. The rankings are based on self-reported life satisfaction metrics gathered by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, in partnership with Gallup, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and an editorial board.
Jon Clifton, the CEO of Gallup, underscored that happiness encompasses more than just wealth. He stated that it involves trust, social connections, and community support. Key factors influencing happiness identified in the research include health, affluence, and fundamental aspects like sharing meals and trusted social networks.
However, a troubling statistic emerged from the report, indicating that 19 percent of young individuals globally reported a lack of reliable social support in 2023, marking a 39 percent increase since 2006.
The 2025 World Happiness Report highlights Vietnam’s impressive rise as the second happiest country in Southeast Asia, alongside notable improvements in several other nations. Finland’s continued dominance is observed, while the report also sheds light on critical factors impacting happiness. However, the significant increase in young individuals lacking social support presents a concerning trend worldwide that warrants attention.
Original Source: asianews.network
