Finland leads world happiness as youth wellbeing drops in English-speaking countries

Record ID: 2367449

  • Title: Finland leads world happiness as youth wellbeing drops in English-speaking countries
  • Date: 19th March 2026
  • Summary: KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA (MARCH 19, 2026) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) VEHICLES, MARKED WITH "UN" (UNITED NATIONS) AMBULANCE DRIVING, ARRIVING AT HOSPITAL VARIOUS OF PEOPLE GATHERING NEAR AMBULANCES PEOPLE GATHERING NEAR WHO VEHICLES (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MEDIA DIRECTOR AT THE PALESTINIAN RED CRESCENT SOCIETY (PRCS), RAED AL-NAMS, SAYING: "We resume today t
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Finland Jan-Emmanuel de Neve World Happiness Report happiness social media youth
  • Location: VARIOUS LOCATIONS
  • City: VARIOUS LOCATIONS
  • Country: Finland
  • Topics: Europe,Society/Social Issues
  • Reuters ID: LVA00A476617032026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Finland has been ranked the world’s happiest country for a record ninth consecutive year, according to the World Happiness Report 2026 published on Thursday (March 19), as the study also highlighted a marked decline in wellbeing among young people in several English‑speaking countries, particularly girls, linked in part to heavy social media use.
    The report, released ahead of the United Nations’ International Day of Happiness, shows Finland once again topping the global rankings, with other Nordic countries also performing strongly, while nations affected by war and instability remained at the bottom of the table.
    The findings point to a sharp deterioration in life satisfaction among people under 25 in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Data from the Gallup World Poll show life evaluations in these countries have fallen by almost one point on a 0–10 scale over the past decade, even as the global average for young people has risen.
    The report identifies heavy use of social media as a contributing factor to the decline in wellbeing, with the effects most pronounced among girls. The evidence draws on multiple surveys and studies, including international assessments of adolescent behaviour and mental health.
    One large survey of 15‑year‑olds in nearly 50 countries found that extensive social media use is associated, on average, with significantly lower well-being. However, the report stresses that outcomes vary widely depending on the platform, how it is used, and individual characteristics such as gender and socio‑economic background.
    The findings come as many governments consider tougher online protections for children.
    (Production: Ilze Filks)
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