world happiness report

U.S. drops in new global happiness ranking. One age group bucks the trend

8:45am March 20, 2024

by Allison Aubrey

A new happiness report finds sharp declines in well-being among adolescents and young adults in the U.S. But the picture is better for people aged 60 and older, marking a striking generational divide.

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The new documentary Agent of Happiness follows Bhutanese bureaucrats who survey people about their state of mind. From right: director Dorottya Zurbó, happiness agents Amber Kumar Gurung and Guna Raj Kuikel, and director Arun Bhattarai.

Are you happy? New film follows a Bhutan bureaucrat who asks 148 questions to find out

9:10am February 04, 2024

by Jonathan Lambert

The new documentary Agent of Happiness explores Bhutan's efforts to measure its own "gross national happiness." The film follows one not-especially-happy agent who gathers the data.

A woman skates in Helsinki, on a sunny but frosty Boxing Day on Dec. 26, with temperatures around 9 degrees Fahrenheit.

Americans got a bit happier last year, but they've still got nothing on the Finns

9:01pm March 18, 2022

by Christopher Dean Hopkins

The latest World Happiness report finds Scandinavian countries once again dominating the top of the rankings, while the U.S. climbed from 19th to 16th.

Afghan couples in Kabul out for a stroll on Valentine's Day this year.

Advice On How To Be Happy From The 3rd Least Happy Country In The World

3:31pm March 20, 2019

Afghanistan ranks extremely low on the World Happiness Report, released for World Happiness Day on March 20. But that doesn't mean it is a place devoid of happiness.

A fan waves the Finnish flag during the Nordic World Ski Championships last year. Finland is No. 1 on the annual World Happiness Report, released Wednesday.

World News

Life's Nice In The Nordic Ice: Finland, Neighbors Top U.N. Happiness Index

9:15pm March 14, 2018

by Colin Dwyer

The Finns took No. 1 on the annual World Happiness Report, while perennial leaders Norway and Denmark weren't far behind. Meanwhile, the study devoted a chapter to the decline of happiness in the U.S.

The environment is central to Bhutan's Gross National Happiness. The Index measures a myriad of issue including attitudes on conservation, pollution and waste. Preserving 60% of Bhutan's forests is enshrined in the constitution to maintain the country ec

World News

The Birthplace Of 'Gross National Happiness' Is Growing A Bit Cynical

1:46pm February 12, 2018

by Julie McCarthy

Tourists flock to this happy nation and the world has tried to emulate its happiness index. But inside Bhutan, some residents say the country's having difficulty living up to the glowing brand.

Children frolic at a plaza with a fountain in Managua.

How Can Nicaragua Be So Happy When It Has A Stack Of Sad Statistics?

3:47pm April 13, 2017

The latest World Happiness Report says Nicaragua made the greatest gains in happiness of any country — to the surprise of some Nicaraguans.