World Happiness Report 2026: India at 116th Rank, Behind Nepal and Pakistan

India has been ranked 116th out of 147 countries in the World Happiness Report 2026, released on March 19. The country has shown a modest improvement of two positions, moving up from 118th in 2025, but continues to remain in the lower half of the global rankings.

What is the World Happiness Report?

The World Happiness Report is an annual global survey that measures how people evaluate their own lives. It is prepared by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, in partnership with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

Criteria Used to Rank Countries

Countries are ranked based on six key factors:

• GDP per capita (income levels)

• Social support

• Healthy life expectancy

• Freedom to make life choices

• Generosity

• Perceptions of corruption

The rankings are derived from a three-year average (2023–2025) of life evaluation scores.

Top 5 Happiest Countries in 2026

• Finland – Ranked 1st (9th consecutive year)

• Iceland – 2nd

• Denmark – 3rd

• Costa Rica – 4th (big jump, best-ever for Latin America)

• Netherlands – 5th

Finland continues to dominate the rankings due to strong social trust, welfare systems, and high quality of life.

India’s Performance in 2026

India’s overall happiness score stands at 4.536.

Strength Areas

• Freedom to make life choices – Rank 61

• Perception of corruption – Rank 64

Weak Areas

• Social support – Rank 123

• Income inequality and life satisfaction remain key concerns

Despite economic growth, these social and structural issues continue to affect overall happiness levels.

Neighbouring Countries Comparison

India continues to lag behind several of its regional neighbours:

• Nepal – 99th

• Pakistan – 104th

• China – 65th

• Afghanistan – 147th (last place globally)

Why India Ranks Behind

Experts highlight several reasons for India’s lower ranking:

• Weak social support systems

• Rising inequality despite economic growth

• Urban stress and lifestyle pressures

• Gaps in public health and well-being perception

• Lower overall life satisfaction among citizens

Global Insight: Social Media Impact

The 2026 report places special focus on “Happiness and Social Media.” It notes a decline in well-being among youth under 25, especially in Western countries, linking excessive social media use to higher stress and reduced happiness levels.

What's Next

While India’s slight rise in ranking indicates gradual progress, the country still faces major challenges in improving overall well-being. Strengthening social support systems and addressing inequality will be crucial for improving its position in future reports.