Belgium has climbed the ranks in the latest World Happiness Report, moving from 16th place last year to 14th in the newly published 2025 edition. Since 2022, the country has ascended five places, positioning itself one step closer to re-entering the top ten happiest countries globally.
The report, released by research firm Gallup on International Happiness Day (March 20), evaluates global well-being based on self-reported life satisfaction scores. Belgian respondents gave their lives an average rating of 6.91 out of 10, according to the survey.
Professor Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, director of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre and an editor of the report, emphasized that these figures are based on personal assessments rather than an official index. “It is important to note that this figure represents the score Belgians themselves give their life,” he told The Brussels Times.
A Long-Term Trend
Despite Belgium’s steady climb in rankings, its life satisfaction scores have remained relatively constant. In fact, they are slightly lower compared to when the World Happiness Report was first published.
“In 2005, we ranked sixth globally with an average score of 7.26,” De Neve noted. “Since 2013, Belgians have consistently reported just below 7.” The latest ranking, however, marks the highest three-year average position Belgium has achieved since the report’s inception.
Finland Retains the Top Spot
The ranking is determined using survey data where respondents rate their happiness on a scale from zero to ten. The results are then averaged over three years.
Northern European countries continue to dominate the top positions, with Finland securing the highest rank for the eighth consecutive year, boasting an average score of 7.74.
Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden round out the top four. De Neve highlighted the role of wealth distribution in their consistently high rankings.
“There are many high-income countries, but what sets these nations apart is the redistribution of wealth, ensuring lower inequality and higher median income,” he explained.
Shifts in the Global Rankings
The 2025 report also signals a shift in global happiness patterns. Central and Eastern European countries, such as Lithuania, Slovenia, and Czechia, have made it into the top 20, while major industrialized nations like the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom have dropped out. The U.S., now ranked 24th, recorded its lowest position since the report began, while the UK fell to 23rd.
At the bottom of the list, Afghanistan continues to rank as the least happy country. Its average score dropped further from 1.72 in 2024 to 1.36 this year, with Afghan women reporting even lower levels of life satisfaction (1.16).
The Importance of Social Factors
The report underscores the growing significance of social support and trust in well-being. Costa Rica and Mexico, which climbed into the top ten, exemplify this trend.
Their happiness ratings took a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic but have since rebounded as social interactions returned to normal.
One empirical measure used to assess social trust involved an experiment where researchers observed the return rates of lost wallets.
In Nordic countries, over 80% of lost wallets were returned, yet survey respondents had predicted a much lower rate. This suggests that people worldwide tend to underestimate the kindness of others.
As Belgium continues its upward trajectory in the global happiness rankings, factors such as economic stability, social cohesion, and public trust will likely play crucial roles in determining its future position.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
