The list ranks 147 countries based on how they assess their quality of life

The US has fallen to its lowest ever place on the World Happiness Report, which lists the happiest countries across the globe.

Published every year on International Day of Happiness, the list ranks 147 countries based on how they assess their quality of life.

The data is collected by Gallup World Poll, who explain that trust and connection are huge contributors when it comes to our happiness.

“Happiness isn’t just about wealth or growth — it’s about trust, connection and knowing people have your back,” said Jon Clifton, the CEO of Gallup.

The US has its lowest ever spot on the list of happiest countries (Getty Stock Photo)

This year, the US has dropped one place lower than in 2024, ranking 24th in the world, with its peak highest spot being at 11th place back in 2012.

One factor noted in the report was the concept of sharing meals and how this impacts happiness levels, as the team discovered that the number of Americans who eat alone has increased by over 50 percent since 2003.

“In 2023, roughly 1 in 4 Americans reported eating all of their meals alone the previous day — an increase of 53% since 2003,” the research explained. “Dining alone has become more prevalent for every age group, but especially for young people.”

The report also noted the ‘rise in political polarization and votes against ‘the system’ had an impact on the US’s ranking, adding: “The country-wide evolution of happiness and trust is highly associated with the rise in the likelihood of voting for anti-system parties in Western Europe and the United States.”

One in four Americans reported eating all their meals alone (Getty Stock Photo)

Top 25 happiest nations

Finland
Denmark
Iceland
Sweden
Netherlands
Costa Rica
Norway
Israel
Luxembourg
Mexico
Australia
New Zealand
Switzerland
Belgium
Ireland
Lithuania
Austria
Canada
Slovenia
Czechia
United Arab Emirates
Germany
United Kingdom
United States
Belize

Compiled using data from more than 140 countries, the report is published annually by Gallup, the United Nations, and the University of Oxford.

This year, Costa Rica and Mexico have both made it into the top 10, meanwhile the UK stands just one spot in front of the US at 23rd place.

The US has fallen to 24th place (Getty Stock Photo)

Those living in Finland are seemingly pretty content, as the country has been named the happiest country for the eighth consecutive year.

Regardless of which country ranked in which spot, researchers said they had noticed some positive findings across the board.

“First, people are much too pessimistic about the benevolence of others. For example, when wallets were dropped in the street by researchers, the proportion of returned wallets was far higher than people expected. This is hugely encouraging,” they said.

“Second, our wellbeing depends on our perceptions of others’ benevolence, as well as their actual benevolence. Since we underestimate the kindness of others, our wellbeing can be improved by receiving information about their true benevolence.

“Third, when society is more benevolent, the people who benefit most are those who are least happy. As a result, happiness is more equally distributed in countries with higher levels of expected benevolence.”

European countries issue new travel warning for people traveling to the US

A number of nations across Europe have been updating their advice to citizens

European countries have issued a new warning for people planning on travelling to the US.

Following the introduction of tighter immigration laws under the Trump administration, a number of nations across the EU have been updating their citizens on what kind of measures they should be taking before entering the US, and the consequences of not doing so.

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The UK, for example, has updated its advice this week, telling citizens they must ‘comply with all entry, visa and other conditions of entry’.

“The authorities in the US. set and enforce entry rules strictly,” said the foreign office.

“You may be liable to arrest or detention if you break the rules.”

Prior to this, Reuters reported that guidance simply stated that the US ‘set and enforce entry rules’.

Meanwhile, Germany has also updated its advice this week, after investigating three cases in which German citizens were denied entry and put into detention.

In updated advice, Germany has said that entry into the US via Electronic System for Travel Authorization or a US visa did not guarantee entry.

“The final decision on whether a person can enter the U.S. lies with the U.S. border authorities,” said a spokesperson for Germany’s foreign ministry.

Some EU countries have updated their guidance (Getty Stock Photo)

“A criminal conviction in the United States, false information regarding the purpose of stay, or even a slight overstay of the visa upon entry or exit can lead to arrest, detention, and deportation upon entry or exit.

“Neither a valid ESTA authorization nor a valid U.S. visa constitutes a right to entry into the USA. The final decision regarding entry is made by the US border official. It is recommended that you bring proof of your return journey (e.g., flight booking) upon entry. There is no legal recourse against this decision. German diplomatic missions abroad are unable to influence the reversal of a denial of entry.”

The Trump administration has compiled a list of 43 countries that could see restrictions (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Since being sworn in as the 47th president of the US, Trump and his administration have compiled a list of 43 countries that could see restrictions.

The countries listed in three separate groups and their restrictions vary between each.

A US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity said that there could come changes in the list and reiterated that the list has not yet been approved by the administration, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

All travel banned:

Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.

Those on the ‘all travel banned’ list would be set for a full visa suspension.

Visas sharply restricted:

Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Turkmenistan.

For those on the second group, they can expect partial suspensions that would impact tourist and student visas as well as other immigrant visas however there could be some exceptions.

Countries that have 60 days to address concerns:

Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Vanuatu and Zimbabwe.

The third group would be considered for a partial suspension of US visa issuance if their governments ‘do not make efforts to address deficiencies within 60 days’ according to the memo.

All 43 countries Trump intends to ban from traveling to the US ‘if governments do not address deficiencies within 60 days’

Residents from 43 countries worldwide may not be able to enter the US

Tourists hoping to vacation in the United States may be forced to think twice before booking plane tickets, as President Donald Trump is said to be considering a sweeping ban against natives of 43 countries.

Travelers from the countries in question may find trouble gaining access to the US, in the 78-year-old Republican’s bid to tackle immigration.

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Of the 43 countries, they have reportedly been placed into three groups – all travel strictly banned, visas restricted dramatically, with the third seeing countries given a 60-day ultimatum to address concerns raised by the Trump administration.

According to the New York Times, here is a draft list of countries that could be banned:

All travel banned

Afghanistan
Bhutan
Cuba
Iran
Libya
North Korea
Somalia
Sudan
Syria
Venezuela
Yemen

Visas sharply restricted

Belarus
Eritrea
Haiti
Laos
Myanmar
Pakistan
Russia
Sierra Leone
South Sudan
Turkmenistan

Countries that have 60 days to address concerns

Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Benin
Burkina Faso
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Chad
Republic of Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo
Dominica
Equatorial Guinea
Gambia
Liberia
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
São Tomé and Príncipe
Vanuatu
Zimbabwe

President Donald Trump has been opened about his bid to tackle immigration (JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

The NYT noted that the list was reportedly developed ‘several weeks ago’ and ‘changes were likely by the time it reached the White House’.

It comes after Trump signed an executive order on January 20 – his first day back in the Oval Office – that was titled ‘Protecting the United States from foreign terrorists and other national security and public safety threats’.

It read in part: “Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence shall jointly submit to the President, through the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, a report:

“(i) Identifying countries throughout the world for which vetting and screening information is so deficient as to warrant a partial or full suspension on the admission of nationals from those countries pursuant to section 212(f) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1182(f)); and.

Natives from 43 countries across the world may not be able to enter the US (Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

“(ii) Identifying how many nationals from those countries have entered or have been admitted into the United States on or since January 20, 2021, and any other information the Secretaries and Attorney General deem relevant to the actions or activities of such nationals since their admission or entry to the United States.”

It means the 22 countries on the list could have until Friday (March 21) to comply with requests to provide the US with information about travelers that intend to arrive in the country, as well as those that are already present.