Day 15
International ReportsImportant2025-03-20
Release of World Happiness Report 2025
In News
What Happened
On March 20, 2025, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and Gallup published the World Happiness Report 2025. Released on the International Day of Happiness, the report evaluated subjective well-being across 147 countries. Finland secured the top position as the world's happiest country for the eighth consecutive year, while Afghanistan remained at the absolute bottom.
Why It Matters
India's rank improved from 126 to 118, indicating a slight positive shift in subjective well-being despite continuing socio-economic challenges. It highlights the need for Indian policymakers to focus on multidimensional metrics like social support and health, rather than just GDP growth, to improve overall quality of life.
Background
History & Context
The World Happiness Report was first published in 2012 following a 2011 UN General Assembly resolution introduced by Bhutan, championing the concept of Gross National Happiness. The report relies heavily on data from the Gallup World Poll and assesses subjective well-being based on the Cantril Ladder question. It ranks countries using six key variables: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and absence of corruption.
What Changed
- ▶
India's Global Rank: BEFORE India was ranked 126th in the 2024 report. NOW it has improved to the 118th position in 2025.
- ▶
Assessment Scope: BEFORE the 2024 report covered 143 countries. NOW the 2025 report has expanded its evaluation to include 147 countries.
- ▶
Top Rank Duration: BEFORE Finland had held the top title for seven consecutive years up to 2024. NOW Finland marks its eighth consecutive year as the happiest country globally.
Prelims Angle
NCERT Connection
In NCERT Class 11 Indian Economic Development Chapter 2 (Indian Economy 1950-1990), students learn about early economic planning focused heavily on GDP growth and self-reliance. The World Happiness Report expands on this by introducing broader welfare concepts like Gross National Happiness and multidimensional well-being, showing how modern development economics prioritizes subjective life satisfaction alongside material growth.
Practice Questions
Q1
Correct Statement(s)Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the World Happiness Report 2025? 1. It is published by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network in partnership with Gallup. 2. India's ranking declined compared to the 2024 report, placing it behind all other South Asian nations.