The World Happiness Report 2026, an annual study on happiness and life satisfaction levels, was produced by the University of Oxford's Wellbeing Research Centre in partnership with Gallup and the United Nations. The report found that life satisfaction among those under 25 in English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, has fallen sharply over the past decade. This trend is linked to heavy social media usage in Western nations, which is eroding personal well-being among young people, with the report highlighting a concerning decline in happiness metrics.

Researchers stated that extensive social media use, particularly more than seven hours per day, is associated with lower well-being, with algorithm-driven, image-focused platforms and influencer content cited as key contributing factors. The report noted that teenage girls in Western European and English-speaking countries are especially affected. Additionally, most U.S. college students allegedly wish social media platforms did not exist, using them only because others do, which points to social pressure and dissatisfaction within these regimes.

Finland ranked as the world's happiest country for a ninth consecutive year, with Nordic nations dominating the top positions. The report attributed this dominance to wealth, equality, strong welfare systems, and high life expectancy. Costa Rica rose to fourth place, credited to strong social and family ties. Afghanistan remained the lowest-ranked country, along with Sierra Leone and Malawi, underscoring global disparities in well-being and the challenges faced by less developed regions.

Source: www.dw.com