World Happiness Report: Czechia Ranks Higher Than Germany and Poland

The Czech Republic remains among the world’s 20 happiest countries, outperforming nations like the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy.

This ranking comes from the latest World Happiness Report, published in celebration of the International Day of Happiness.

Czechia Holds 20th Place, Ahead of Germany and Poland

According to the annual World Happiness Report, which evaluates life satisfaction across more than 140 countries, Czechia has secured the 20th position.

While this marks a slight drop from previous years, the country still ranks higher than Germany, Poland, and the United Arab Emirates. Slovakia, on the other hand, lags far behind, coming in 50th place.

Experts attribute Czechia’s strong ranking to its stable economy and robust social support systems. However, greater trust in institutions and society could further boost happiness levels.

Nordic Countries Lead the Way, But Surprises Appear

As in previous years, Nordic countries dominate the rankings. Finland has claimed the top spot for the eighth consecutive year, thanks to its strong social safety net, high-quality healthcare, and economic stability. Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden closely follow.

However, some unexpected nations also made it into the top 10. Despite ongoing conflict with Hamas, Israel ranked eighth, while Costa Rica (6th) and Mexico (10th) secured their highest-ever positions.

At the bottom of the list, Afghanistan remains the least happy country, particularly due to extreme hardship faced by women. Sierra Leone and Lebanon also rank among the world’s least happy nations.

Social Connections Play a Key Role in Happiness

Researchers highlight that happiness isn’t just about health and wealth—it’s also deeply linked to social connections.

Factors like sharing meals, having a strong support network, and living in larger households play a major role. The study found that households with four to five people report higher happiness levels, especially in Mexico and Europe.

Conversely, social isolation has increased. In the United States, the number of people eating alone has risen by 53% in the past two decades. Globally, 19% of young adults reported having no one to turn to for support—a 39% increase compared to 2006.

Trust in Others: A Crucial Factor

The study also suggests that belief in the kindness of others directly affects happiness. A key indicator of societal trust is whether people believe a lost wallet will be returned. Nordic countries rank highest in this category—and their residents actually do return lost wallets at a high rate.

Interestingly, most people underestimate how often others act kindly. The data suggests that lost wallets are returned twice as often as people expect—a reminder that societies where people feel cared for tend to be happier.

Western Nations Are Becoming Less Happy

The report also notes a decline in happiness levels across Western countries. Compared to 2005–2010, many industrialized nations are now less happy, a shift linked to political polarization and declining social trust.

“This year’s report challenges us to think beyond traditional measures like income and health,” said Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, director of the Wellbeing Research Centre at Oxford University.

“We now see that factors like sharing meals and trusting others are even stronger predictors of happiness. At a time of rising isolation and division, rebuilding social bonds is critical for individual and collective well-being.”

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