Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Canada has fallen to 25th place in the 2026 World Happiness Report, marking its lowest position since the global survey was launched in 2012. According to the annual report released on March 19, 2026, Canada’s ranking reflects a significant decline from 18th place in 2025 and a steady plummet from its 5th-place standing in 2015.
The 2026 report, published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford in partnership with the UN and Gallup, highlights a growing crisis in well-being among young people in English-speaking nations. Researchers pointed to heavy social media use as a primary driver for the sharp drop in life satisfaction among Canadians under the age of 25, a trend also observed in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
Key Findings for Canada
- Life Evaluation Score: Canada received an average score of 6.741 out of 10.
- Global Context: Canada now ranks two spots below the United States (23rd) and is positioned between Poland (24th) and Taiwan (26th).
- Youth Well-being: For the first time, Canadians under 30 are reported to be the unhappiest generation in the country, a stark contrast to older generations who report higher satisfaction levels.
- Strengths: Despite the overall decline, Canada continues to rank highly in specific categories such as social support and generosity.
Global Top 10 Happiest Countries
| Rank | Country | Life Evaluation Score |
| 1 | Finland | 7.764 |
| 2 | Iceland | 7.540 |
| 3 | Denmark | 7.539 |
| 4 | Costa Rica | 7.439 |
| 5 | Sweden | 7.255 |
| 6 | Norway | 7.242 |
| 7 | Netherlands | 7.223 |
| 8 | Israel | 7.187 |
| 9 | Luxembourg | 7.063 |
| 10 | Switzerland | 7.018 |
Note: Finland has secured the top spot for the ninth consecutive year. Costa Rica’s 4th-place finish is the highest ranking ever achieved by a Latin American nation.
At the bottom of the 147-country list, Afghanistan remains the unhappiest nation, followed by Sierra Leone and Malawi. The report utilizes data from 2023–2025 and considers factors such as GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, and freedom to make life choices.
