Finland world’s happiest country, Bangladesh lags behind in global ranking

Bangladesh ranks 134th out of 147 countries

For the eighth consecutive year, Finland has been named the happiest country in the world, while Bangladesh languishes near the bottom, according to the World Happiness Report 2025.

Afghanistan remained the unhappiest country, a position many attribute to the stringent policies imposed by the ruling Taliban, particularly those affecting women.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, saw its ranking slide further in the latest index, slipping to 134th out of 147 countries and marking a decline from last year’s 129th-place ranking.

Only 13 countries ranked lower than Bangladesh, including Egypt, Tanzania, Yemen, Lebanon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

India, by contrast, has improved its standing, rising to 118th from 124th last year.

Despite the gain, neighbouring Pakistan, on 109th, remains ahead of India.

Among Western nations, the United States was ranked 24th, just behind the United Kingdom at 23rd.

The annual report, released to coincide with International Happiness Day on Mar 20, is compiled by the Gallup World Poll in collaboration with the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), and an editorial panel.