Dominican Republic drops in World Happiness ranking

Helsinki, Finland.- The 2025 World Happiness Report places the Dominican Republic in 76th place, reflecting a decline from 69th in 2024. Meanwhile, Finland remains the happiest country for the eighth consecutive year, followed by Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden.

For the first time, Costa Rica (6th) and Mexico (10th) made it into the top 10. In contrast, the United States fell to 24th place, its worst ranking since the report’s launch in 2012, partly due to increased social isolation and a rise in “deaths of despair” related to suicide and substance abuse.

The ranking, based on life satisfaction, GDP per capita, social support, life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and corruption levels, highlights that acts of generosity and trust in others are stronger predictors of happiness than income. The report also reaffirms the importance of social welfare systems and access to nature, key factors in the continued happiness of Nordic countries.