Newsletter
Newsletter Support JNS

Despite war, Israel ranked eighth happiest country

The Jewish state’s population continues to enjoy excellent social connections.

People dancing at a street party in the Nachlaot neighborhood of Jerusalem during Purim on March 1, 2018. Photo by Liba Farkash/Flash90.
People dancing at a street party in the Nachlaot neighborhood of Jerusalem during Purim on March 1, 2018. Photo by Liba Farkash/Flash90.

Israel remains in the top 10 list of happiest countries in the world, despite an anxious year with the wars against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, an annual global survey released on Wednesday shows.

Israel ranked in eighth place in the World Happiness Report 2025, down from fifth the year before. It continues to excel in social connections amid a lower life expectancy as well as a drop in trust in government institutions.

Finland, Denmark and Iceland again topped the list, followed by Sweden and the Netherlands to close out the top five. Costa Rica and Norway edged out Israel, which was followed by Luxembourg and Mexico.

Australia placed 11th while the United States came in at 24—its lowest ranking to date and attributed to young Americans feeling worse about their lives.

Israel holds the top happy spot in the Middle East. Lebanon is near rock-bottom at 145, Yemen is ranked 140th globally, the Palestinian territories 108th and Iran 99th.

Afghanistan once again came in last at 147, preceded by Sierra Leone, Lebanon, Malawi and Zimbabwe.

The findings are compiled by data from the Gallup World Poll and are based on social support, income, health, freedom, generosity and the absence of corruption.

The 13th annual report’s release was timed to coincide with the United Nations International Day of Happiness on March 20.

See more from JNS Staff
Witness statements allege that Jewish students were singled out, monitored and blocked from entering the event, with some attendees reporting antisemitic remarks heard while waiting in line.
“His venom for Jews is part of the sickening rise in antisemitism and attacks against believers,” prosecutors said.
U.S. President Donald Trump said that the naval blockade of Iranian ports will remain in force despite the announcement from Iran.
Four senators wrote to the U.S. Secretary of State that Liran Tancman has a “failed record of privatizing traditional humanitarian functions.”
The legislation would make sure that those who “exploit America’s generosity” can’t “hide behind the citizenship we gave them,” said Rep. Riley Moore, of West Virginia.
Danny Danon, the Israeli envoy to the global body, called the Iranian blockade of the strait “economic terrorism.”