Finland again ranks as the world’s happiest country, but the World Happiness Report 2026 warns that heavy social media use has taken a measurable toll on young people’s well‑being worldwide.
Published by the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre in partnership with Gallup and the United Nations, the report draws on surveys of roughly 100,000 people across about 140 countries. It shows a sharp decline in life satisfaction among people under 25 in several English‑speaking and Western countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, over the past decade.
The researchers link extensive social media use to drops in well‑being, with the strongest effects observed among teenage girls in the regions mentioned. Very heavy use — especially more than seven hours a day — is associated with lower life satisfaction. Algorithm‑driven, image‑focused platforms and influencer content are flagged as important drivers of these negative effects.
The report also highlights a paradox: many young people use social media mainly because their peers do, yet some would prefer the platforms didn’t exist. Among US college students surveyed, a notable share said they would rather no one used social media even as they continue to use it. Conversely, light use — generally under an hour a day — is linked with higher well‑being than both heavy use and complete non‑use, suggesting a nuanced relationship between time spent and mental health.
Governments are increasingly considering limits on minors’ access to social media in response to these findings, weighing policy options aimed at reducing the harms associated with excessive use.
Top rankings and notable placements
1. Finland
2. Iceland
3. Denmark
4. Costa Rica
5. Sweden
6. Norway
7. Netherlands
8. Israel
9. Luxembourg
10. Switzerland
Notable positions include Germany at 17, the United States at 23, China at 65, Iran at 97, Pakistan at 104, Nigeria at 106, and India at 116.
The lowest‑ranked countries include Afghanistan (147), Sierra Leone (146), Malawi (145), Zimbabwe (144) and Botswana (143).
Finland has topped the index for the ninth consecutive year. Nordic countries dominate the upper ranks, a pattern the report attributes to factors such as high income, equality, comprehensive welfare systems and long life expectancy. Costa Rica’s strong showing at fourth place is credited to robust social and family ties. Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the list, joined by several low‑income countries facing ongoing conflict and instability.
The 2026 report underlines that national happiness is shaped by material conditions and social structures, while rising concerns about digital life and youth mental health point to an urgent need for policy and platform changes. Policymakers, educators and technology companies are urged to consider measures that limit excessive, algorithm‑driven engagement and protect young people’s mental health without cutting off beneficial uses of social media.
Edited by: Dmytro Hubenko