Unpacking the Real Meaning Behind Global ‘Happiness’ Rankings
Why is Finland crowned the happiest country in the world for the eighth year in a row, while India lingers at 126th and Pakistan fares slightly better at 109th? The latest World Happiness Report 2025, produced by Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre, places Finland, Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden at the top. India’s score, averaging just 4.389, stands against Pakistan’s 5.287. This contrast seems puzzling, especially considering India’s booming economy, infrastructural strides, and global visibility.
Beyond Economic Metrics
The rankings rely on the Gallup World Poll’s Cantril Ladder, where people rate their lives from 0 to 10. This metric blends variables like GDP per capita, social support, life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and corruption perception. Yet, these scores often diverge from economic realities. Countries with low expectations and higher life satisfaction, such as Pakistan, can appear “happier” than more prosperous nations like India, where rising aspirations and societal stressors may dampen perceived happiness.
Satisfaction, Not Just Wealth
Interestingly, the report reveals that happiness hinges more on social trust and personal relationships than on mere economic prosperity. India’s challenge lies in high aspirations but fractured connections, as urbanization and digital shifts erode real-world social bonds. Nearly 19% of global adults admit they have no one to rely on, a figure up 39% since 2006, reflecting shrinking social support systems in fast-changing societies.
The Politics of Perception
Critics note that these rankings rest on subjective perceptions rather than hard data, and are sensitive to social and political climates. A 2022 study by India’s Economic Advisory Council found that indices such as Freedom House and V-Dem, drawn from small expert pools, skew results according to biases. In nations with strong media control or frequent unrest, people may report higher happiness simply because their expectations—and the “acceptable” answers—differ.
The Social Trust Factor
The report’s framework privileges countries with high institutional trust and collective systems, often the WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) societies. Meanwhile, in countries like India, individualist thinking and rapid modernization undermine workplace and social trust, impacting happiness scores.
Steps Toward Greater Happiness
Experts suggest India can boost its happiness index by investing not just in GDP but also in Gross National Happiness (GNH). This means nurturing community spaces, building social infrastructure, and focusing on mental health and trust. Institutional support—ranging from transparent governance to programs like Tele-MANAS—can help cultivate resilience and well-being.
Reframing Aspirations
Ultimately, climbing the happiness ladder requires reimagining success: clean air, fair wages, and fuller lives—not just higher rankings—should define national well-being. If India genuinely seeks progress, the goal should be deeper satisfaction and more meaningful connections, not simply chasing global scores.
Source The hindu