World Happiness Report 2026
Travel Advice
28 April 2026
World Happiness Report 2026: Where do the happiest people in the world live?
Every year, the World Happiness Report attracts global attention - and 2026 is no exception. Which countries are the happiest this time round, and what factors are driving their scores? The results go far beyond rankings, offering insight into quality of life, social security and trust in society and politics. Want to find out more? Let’s take a closer look.
What is the World Happiness Report?
The World Happiness Report is an annual study that measures people’s subjective wellbeing across countries worldwide. It's published by the United Nations, amongst others and is based on data from the Gallup World Poll.
The report assesses factors such as income, social support, life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and perceptions of corruption. Rather than focusing solely on economic indicators, it explores how satisfied people feel with their lives.
The top 20 in the 2026 World Happiness Report
| 1. Finland | 11. New Zealand |
| 2. Iceland | 12. Mexico |
| 3. Denmark | 13. Ireland |
| 4. Costa Rica | 14. Belgium |
| 5. Sweden | 15. Australia |
| 6. Norway | 16. Kosovo |
| 7. Netherlands | 17. Germany |
| 8. Israel | 18. Slovenia |
| 9. Luxembourg | 19. Austria |
| 10. Switzerland | 20. Czech Republic |
Overall, the rankings have remained relatively stable between 2025 and 2026. Finland continues to top the list, while the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and Norway) remain within the top 20. This suggests that levels of wellbeing among the highest-ranked countries tend to change only gradually, with small shifts in position from year to year, such as Denmark and Iceland swapping places between 2025 and 2026.
Many of the top 20 countries are in Europe, although high levels of life satisfaction are also seen elsewhere. Costa Rica and Mexico feature in this year’s list, as they did last year, and Israel remains in the rankings too. Elsewhere, there are some minor changes - Australia has moved down slightly from 11th to 15th place, whilst New Zealand has risen from 12th to 11th place.
New entries to the top 20 in 2026 include Kosovo (up from 29th in 2025) and Germany (up from 22nd). In contrast, Lithuania and Canada have dropped out of the top 20 after ranking 16th and 18th respectively the previous year.
The top of the happiness rankings remains heavily dominated by Northern European countries, although there are some interesting changes within the wider top 20.
The top 10 countries in the 2026 World Happiness Report that are easy to explore by ferry
We’re bringing you a slightly different top 10 - here are the top ten countries in the 2026 World Happiness Report that are easily accessible by ferry. Travelling by sea is one of the most sustainable ways to travel and has a positive impact on the planet and therefore also has a positive impact on people’s well-being, which in turn leads to greater happiness.
Finland
Finland remains the undisputed leader. A strong social welfare system, high quality of life and deep trust in public institutions all contribute to this position. Close access to nature also plays an important role in everyday life.
Popular ferry routes to Finland
| Route | Duration | Weekly sailings |
|---|---|---|
| Tallinn to Helsinki | 2 Hours 15 Minutes | 67 weekly sailings |
| Stockholm to Helsinki | 17 Hours | 13 weekly sailings |
| Stockholm to Turku | 10 Hours 35 Minutes | 19 weekly sailings |
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Iceland
Iceland secures second place in the 2026 World Happiness Report, scoring highly for strong social cohesion and resilience. Despite its remote location, residents report feeling well supported and safe.
Popular ferry routes to Iceland
| Route | Duration | Weekly sailings |
|---|---|---|
| Stykkisholmur to Flatey | 1 Hour 30 Minutes | 6 Weekly sailings |
| Stykkisholmur to Brjanslaekur | 2 Hours 30 Minutes | 9 Weekly sailings |
Denmark
Denmark ranks third with its strong sense of community and good work-life balance. People report high levels of satisfaction, particularly due to social security and equality.
Popular ferry routes to Denmark
| Routes | Duration | Weekly sailings |
|---|---|---|
| Puttgarden to Rodby | 45 Minutes | 292 Weekly sailings |
| Kristiansand to Hirtshals | 3 Hours 15 Minutes | 21 Weekly sailings |
| Rostock to Gedser | 2 Hours | 55 Weekly sailings |
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Sweden
Sweden ranks 5th in the World Happiness Report, just behind Costa Rica, and combines economic stability with social equity. Flexible working arrangements and a good education system contribute to high levels of life satisfaction.
Popular ferry routes to Sweden
| Routes | Duration | Weekly sailings |
|---|---|---|
| Nynashamn to Visby | 3 Hours 15 Minutes | 18 Weekly sailings |
| Rostock to Trelleborg | 6 Hours | 31 Weekly sailings |
| Helsinki to Stockholm | 18 Hours 15 Minutes | 13 Weekly sailings |
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Norway
Norway is hot on Sweden’s heels (6th place) and impresses with its prosperity, a strong social welfare system and stunning natural beauty. People benefit from a high level of safety and trust in the government.
Popular ferry routes to Norway
| Routes | Duration | Weekly sailings |
|---|---|---|
| Hirtshals to Kristiansand | 3 Hours 19 Minutes | 26 Weekly sailings |
| Flam to Bergen | 5 Hours 15 Minutes | 7 Weekly sailings |
| Hirtshals to Bergen | 17 Hours 45 Minutes | 7 Weekly sailings |
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Netherlands
The Netherlands (7th place) offers a high quality of life, modern infrastructure and an open social climate. The work-life balance is particularly valued here.
Popular ferry routes to the Netherlands
| Routes | Duration | Weekly sailings |
|---|---|---|
| Harwich to Hook of Holland | 7 Hours 37 Minutes | 14 Weekly sailings |
| Hull to Rotterdam | 11 Hours 45 Minutes | 10 Weekly sailings |
| Newcastle to Amsterdam | 15 Hours 45 Minutes | 14 Weekly sailings |
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New Zealand
New Zealand ranks 11th in the 2026 World Happiness Report and is characterised by its laid-back lifestyle and strong sense of community. A close connection to nature and a strong social network contribute to people’s well-being.
Popular ferry routes in New Zealand
| Routes | Duration | Weekly sailings |
|---|---|---|
| Wellington to Picton | 3 Hours 30 Minutes | 40 Weekly sailings |
| Auckland to Waiheke | 40 Minutes | 142 Weekly sailings |
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Ireland
Ireland (13th place) stands out for its friendly culture, strong sense of community and growing economic dynamism. Social interaction is highly valued, with hospitality and a strong zest for life shaping everyday life.
Popular ferry routes to Ireland
| Routes | Duration | Weekly sailings |
|---|---|---|
| Holyhead to Dublin | 3 Hours 15 Minutes | 53 Weekly sailings |
| Fishguard to Rosslare | 3 Hours 30 Minutes | 13 Weekly sailings |
| Pembroke to Rosslare | 4 Hours 1 Minute | 13 Weekly sailings |
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Germany
This year, Germany officially ranks 17th in the World Happiness Report, offering a high quality of life, a stable economy and comprehensive social security. Education, healthcare and safety are considered major strengths. Nevertheless, the work-life balance remains an important issue.
Popular ferry routes from Germany
| Routes | Duration | Weekly sailings |
|---|---|---|
| Rodby to Puttgarden | 0 Hours 45 Minutes | 292 Weekly sailings |
| Trelleborg to Travemunde | 9 Hours | 20 Weekly sailings |
| Trelleborg to Rostock | 6 Hours 5 Minutes | 31 Weekly sailings |
Austria
Austria combines cultural richness with a high quality of life. It benefits from strong infrastructure, robust social systems and a wide range of leisure activities. Many people appreciate its blend of tradition and modernity, with Austria ranking 19th in the report.
Popular ferry routes to Austria
| Routes | Duration | Weekly sailings |
|---|---|---|
| Bratislava to Vienna | 1 Hours 30 Minutes | 18 Weekly sailings |
The World Happiness Report 2026 once again shows that happiness is about more than just wealth. Trust, social connections, a close relationship with nature and a healthy work–life balance all play an important role. With many of the top 20 countries located in Europe, the region stands out for its high levels of wellbeing. Book your ferry to one of these happy countries now and experience the atmosphere for yourself!