Six surprising insights from World Happiness Report 2025 - Thailand Info analyzes

Thailand Info has reviewed the new World Happiness Report 2025 and found several unexpected and interesting results that directly concern our readers from Sweden, Thailand, Finland, the US, the UK, India, France and China. Here are our six most important observations.

The Nordic countries are on top again – what can others learn?

Finland once again tops the list of the world's happiest countries, followed by Denmark, Iceland and Sweden. These countries share high levels of social trust, low levels of corruption and a strong expectation of kindness from others in society, as evidenced by the frequency with which lost wallets are returned.

In other countries such as Thailand, India and France, trust in others is lower. The report shows that people's happiness increases significantly if they believe that others will help in emergency situations – something that is therefore more common in the Nordic countries than in many other parts of the world.

Shared meals make us happier – but more people eat alone

Eating with others has a strong positive effect on our happiness. According to the report, this is as important as income or employment. Despite this, the number of people eating alone is increasing in several countries – especially in the US, UK and China. In the US, one in four people ate all their meals alone on a typical day in 2023.

In Thailand, India and parts of France, it is still common to share meals with family or friends, creating stronger social bonds and higher life satisfaction.

India and China on the rise – but the US and France are lagging behind

Both India and China show slowly increasing happiness levels, although they are still below the world average. The US and France, on the other hand, have lost ground compared to previous years. The report cites declining trust in society and increasing political division as possible explanations.

Thailand is still in the middle, but a low level of “expected friendliness” lowers the country’s overall happiness score. This is an interesting area to monitor in the future.

Sweden and the US help strangers – Thailand loses

One of the most fascinating parts of the report is how often people help strangers. Sweden and the US rank high, while Thailand has dropped in the rankings for this indicator. It raises questions about how society has changed since the pandemic.

Helping others is not only good for the recipient – ​​it also increases the happiness of the giver. Encouraging this kind of everyday kindness can therefore be an easy way to increase happiness in society.

Living alone is linked to lower happiness – especially in Sweden and China

Living alone is strongly linked to lower levels of life satisfaction. Sweden and China are two examples where many people, especially the elderly, live alone. The report clearly shows that happiness increases if you live with others – especially in households of 3–4 people.

In Thailand and India, it is still more common for several generations to live together, which may explain why older people in these countries report higher happiness on average than their peers in Europe or China.

The US has lost the most – what is behind it?

The United States has seen one of the biggest declines in happiness levels since the mid-2000s. The report highlights loneliness, lack of social support and the rise in so-called “deaths of despair” – deaths linked to suicide, alcohol and drugs – as some of the reasons.

This shows that economic prosperity is not enough to create a happy society. Investments in mental health, social networks and trust are becoming increasingly important, even in rich countries.

Conclusion: Happiness is about more than money

World Happiness Report 2025 makes it clear: Happiness is not only built on finances but also on relationships, kindness, trust and community. Sweden and Finland are leading the way, but all countries – including Thailand – have something to learn and something to contribute.

Placements for Thailand Infos eight focus countries in the happiness ranking (2022–2024, average)

Text: The editorial staff

Image license: sasint, Pixabay, original image