Global Happiness Crisis: The 10 Saddest Countries and India’s Position
Tarun Badghaiya | Apr 06, 2025, 13:06 IST
According to the World Happiness Report 2025, Afghanistan is the saddest country in the world, with India ranking 118th out of 147 countries, up from previous year but still trailing neighbours Nepal and China. The report assesses mental health, income disparity, social support, and corruption. India's low rating reflects increased psychological discomfort, uneven economic progress, and trust deficiencies. While India's charity and volunteering efforts are commendable, tackling fundamental socioeconomic challenges is critical for genuine growth in global happiness rankings.
The World Happiness Report, published annually by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, provides a comprehensive analysis of global happiness levels by examining factors such as GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and perceptions of corruption. The report's 2025 edition includes comprehensive data on the countries with the lowest happiness scores and presents India in this global context.
According to the 2025 World Happiness Report, the countries with the lowest happiness scores are:
1. Afghanistan
2. Sierra Leone - The Indian Express
3. Lebanon
4. Lesotho
5. Congo (Kinshasa)
6. Zimbabwe
7. Botswana
8. Malawi
9. Comoros
10. Tanzania
These countries endure a slew of issues that contribute to their poor happiness scores, including political instability, economic hardship, health crises, and social unrest.
India's World Happiness Report position has fluctuated over time. India ranks 118th out of 147 countries in the 2025 Happiness Index, with a score of 4.389. This is an improvement from 126th place in 2024. However, India continues to fall behind a few of its neighbouring countries:
1. Nepal is ranked 92nd
2. Pakistan ranks 109th.
3. China is currently ranked 68th.
Notably, India is ranked lower than certain conflict-ridden countries, such as Ukraine (111th) and Palestine (108th).
Several variables contribute to India's ranking on the happiness index:
1. Economic Indicators: Despite India's rising economy, economic inequality remains a big concern. Wealth disparities can result in varied levels of life satisfaction among the population.
2. Social Support: A sense of community and social support are critical for happiness. Traditional family systems in India give support, but urbanisation and modernisation have changed these dynamics.
3. Mental Health: There has been a considerable increase in mental health issues in India. According to reports, the sale of antidepressants and mood stabilisers has increased significantly, suggesting the growing prevalence of mental health disorders.
4. Trust and Generosity: India ranks 57th in monetary generosity and 10th globally in volunteering, showing a strong giving culture. However, the country ranks 74th for stranger assistance, indicating a disparity between organised communal initiatives and spontaneous individual compassion.
5. Perception of Corruption: High levels of perceived corruption can diminish faith in institutions, reducing overall satisfaction.
6. Freedom to Make Life Decisions: Cultural and societal standards can have an impact on personal liberties, influencing people's opinions of their quality of life.
1. India's standing in comparison to its neighbours reveals areas for possible improvement.
2. Nepal's close-knit communities and slower rate of urbanisation may lead to higher life satisfaction, as the country ranks 92nd.
3. Pakistan: Ranked 109th, Pakistan has issues similar to India but performs significantly better in some social metrics.
4. China: score 68th, China's rapid economic expansion, combined with large investments in public infrastructure and poverty alleviation programs, may contribute to its better happiness score.
To enhance its ranking in future happiness surveys, India should pursue the following strategies:
1. Improving Mental Health Services: Investing in mental health infrastructure and raising awareness can address the growing concerns about psychological well-being.
2. Reducing Income Inequality: Policies that promote equitable economic growth can help bridge the wealth gap, resulting in higher life satisfaction across all demographics.
3. Strengthening Social Support Systems: Encouraging community participation and keeping familial support networks can help citizens feel more connected and supported.
4. Combating Corruption: Transparent governance techniques can increase trust in public institutions, contributing to a more optimistic overall view.
5. Promoting Freedom of Choice: Ensure that individuals have the autonomy to make life choices.can lead to higher personal satisfaction and overall happiness
While India's performance in the World Happiness Report 2025 is encouraging, there is still plenty of potential for improvement. India can improve its rating in future surveys by tackling economic inequality, improving mental health services, boosting social support, combatting corruption, and supporting personal freedoms. Fostering a comprehensive strategy that includes economic, social, and psychological well-being will be critical to improving its residents' happiness and life satisfaction levels.
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The Ten Least Happy Countries by 2025
1. Afghanistan
2. Sierra Leone - The Indian Express
3. Lebanon
4. Lesotho
5. Congo (Kinshasa)
6. Zimbabwe
7. Botswana
8. Malawi
9. Comoros
10. Tanzania
These countries endure a slew of issues that contribute to their poor happiness scores, including political instability, economic hardship, health crises, and social unrest.
depressed country
India's ranking in the World Happiness Index
1. Nepal is ranked 92nd
2. Pakistan ranks 109th.
3. China is currently ranked 68th.
Notably, India is ranked lower than certain conflict-ridden countries, such as Ukraine (111th) and Palestine (108th).
Factors Impacting India's Happiness Ranking
1. Economic Indicators: Despite India's rising economy, economic inequality remains a big concern. Wealth disparities can result in varied levels of life satisfaction among the population.
2. Social Support: A sense of community and social support are critical for happiness. Traditional family systems in India give support, but urbanisation and modernisation have changed these dynamics.
3. Mental Health: There has been a considerable increase in mental health issues in India. According to reports, the sale of antidepressants and mood stabilisers has increased significantly, suggesting the growing prevalence of mental health disorders.
4. Trust and Generosity: India ranks 57th in monetary generosity and 10th globally in volunteering, showing a strong giving culture. However, the country ranks 74th for stranger assistance, indicating a disparity between organised communal initiatives and spontaneous individual compassion.
5. Perception of Corruption: High levels of perceived corruption can diminish faith in institutions, reducing overall satisfaction.
6. Freedom to Make Life Decisions: Cultural and societal standards can have an impact on personal liberties, influencing people's opinions of their quality of life.
depressed country
Comparative Analysis With Neighbouring Countries
2. Nepal's close-knit communities and slower rate of urbanisation may lead to higher life satisfaction, as the country ranks 92nd.
3. Pakistan: Ranked 109th, Pakistan has issues similar to India but performs significantly better in some social metrics.
4. China: score 68th, China's rapid economic expansion, combined with large investments in public infrastructure and poverty alleviation programs, may contribute to its better happiness score.
depressed country
Policy Recommendations for Increasing Happiness in India
1. Improving Mental Health Services: Investing in mental health infrastructure and raising awareness can address the growing concerns about psychological well-being.
2. Reducing Income Inequality: Policies that promote equitable economic growth can help bridge the wealth gap, resulting in higher life satisfaction across all demographics.
3. Strengthening Social Support Systems: Encouraging community participation and keeping familial support networks can help citizens feel more connected and supported.
4. Combating Corruption: Transparent governance techniques can increase trust in public institutions, contributing to a more optimistic overall view.
5. Promoting Freedom of Choice: Ensure that individuals have the autonomy to make life choices.can lead to higher personal satisfaction and overall happiness
Depressed country
While India's performance in the World Happiness Report 2025 is encouraging, there is still plenty of potential for improvement. India can improve its rating in future surveys by tackling economic inequality, improving mental health services, boosting social support, combatting corruption, and supporting personal freedoms. Fostering a comprehensive strategy that includes economic, social, and psychological well-being will be critical to improving its residents' happiness and life satisfaction levels.
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