In a proud moment for the UAE, the country has outshone some of the world’s most developed nations in the latest UN-sponsored World Happiness Report, released on March 20 — the International Day of Happiness.

 

Ranked 21st globally, the UAE climbed ahead of the United States (24th), the United Kingdom (23rd), and Germany (22nd). This achievement also makes the UAE the only Gulf nation to secure a position in the top 25. Among other Gulf countries, Kuwait came in at 30th and Saudi Arabia at 32nd, while Oman (52nd) and Bahrain (59th) also featured within the top 100.

Last year, the UAE stood at 22nd, reflecting a steady upward trend in the nation's happiness levels. However, Kuwait saw a significant drop from its 2024 position of 13th.

 

The rankings are based on self-reported life evaluations over a three-year period, incorporating factors such as GDP per capita, social support, life expectancy, personal freedom, generosity, and corruption levels. The data was compiled by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, in collaboration with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

 

Jon Clifton, CEO of Gallup, emphasized that happiness transcends economic metrics. “Happiness isn’t just about wealth or growth — it’s about trust, connection and knowing people have your back,” he said. “If we want stronger communities and economies, we must invest in what truly matters: each other.”

 

The 2025 report revealed that generosity and trust in others are increasingly seen as stronger predictors of happiness than income alone.

Globally, Finland maintained its top spot for the eighth consecutive year, followed by Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden — all Nordic countries known for their social welfare systems and sense of community. Meanwhile, the US recorded its lowest-ever position at 24th, amid rising social isolation; the number of people dining alone in the country has increased by 53% over the past 20 years.

 

In South Asia, Pakistan (109th) ranked ahead of India (118th), with Afghanistan at the bottom of the list at 147th.

In the Arab world, Algeria was placed at 84th, followed by Iraq (101), Palestine (108), Morocco (112), Tunisia (113), Jordan (128), Egypt (135), Yemen (140), and Lebanon (145).

The UAE’s consistent performance highlights its strong community values, effective governance, and commitment to the wellbeing of its residents — a sentiment echoed by schoolchildren participating in the “Walk for Happiness” at Zabeel Park, who expressed gratitude towards their families, schools, and the government for nurturing a positive environment.

 

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