Article

How Health Impacts Global Happiness: An International Perspective

Published on Tuesday, November 04, 2025
by Rebecca Ledford

Wellness

The Global Happiness Index: How Joy and Health Go Hand-in-Hand

On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you today? It’s a question that can have different answers every day. Relentless downpour outside? You’re probably a two. Heard a baby giggle? Definitely a solid eight.

Did you know that happiness can impact your health? Keep reading to learn more and keep an eye out for “happy hints” along the way!

Understanding the Global Happiness Index

Since 2012, the World Happiness Report has been published by the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Center in partnership with the UN Sustainable Solutions Network, Gallup, and the World Happiness Report Editorial Team. The report presents the Global Happiness Index, which ranks over 140 countries based on their responses to a simple scenario: Imagine a ladder with 10 rungs. If the top of the ladder represents the best life possible for you and the bottom represents the worst life scenario possible, which step of the ladder would you feel you are at personally at this time?

Happy Hint: Did you know there are two types of happiness? Hedonic Happiness refers to short-lived bursts of joy. Eudaimonic Happiness refers to long-term happiness centered on meaningful connections and a sense of purpose.

What the Index Measures: Life Evaluations and Contributing Factors

So, how do you measure happiness? The World Happiness Report considers multiple facets of life to create the Global Happiness Index. These considerations include age, gender, sustainable development, migration/immigration, benevolence, and (since 2019), the COVID-19 pandemic. Data is collected throughout the year to prevent any possible influences on the outcomes, such as natural disasters, disease outbreaks, religious observances, war, and other factors.

Happy Hint: Despite Christmas being considered the most wonderful time of the year, did you know it’s actually not the happiest day of the year? That title belongs to the summer solstice (usually June 20th or 21st in the Northern Hemisphere) thanks to its long hours of daylight.

The Role of Healthy Life Expectancy in Happiness Rankings

Happiness and healthiness go hand-in-hand. While there are many other factors to consider when evaluating health, in general, happy people tend to be healthier. Here’s a classic example. If you are depressed, are you going to reach for that tub of triple chocolate ice cream or an apple? As delicious as the ice cream may be, it’s not quite as good for your body as the apple.

Happy Hint: Did you know colors can affect your happiness? Research in color psychology has determined that orange and yellow are considered happy and joyful colors.

The Intertwined Relationship Between Health and Global Happiness

The Global Happiness Index may reflect personal answers, but the effects of those answers have a worldwide impact. The happier the country, the healthier the people. Unfortunately, several socioeconomic considerations must be factored into the happiness scale.

Happy Hint: Can you guess the happiest country in the world? It’s Finland!

How Physical and Mental Health Influence Subjective Well-being

As mentioned above, the healthier you are, the happier you tend to be. This is not just attributed to your physical health; it refers to your mental health, too! Research on incorporating healthy practices such as meditation, therapy, and mindfulness into your routine has shown that it decreases symptoms of depression, PTSD, and anxiety, among other mental health conditions. Happiness can also lead to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, improved sleep, lower blood pressure, and a better diet!

Happy Hint: Did you know happiness is a chemical reaction? Happiness is caused by a mixture of four hormones in the brain: dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins.

Global Variations: Countries with Better Health Outcomes Tend to Report Higher Happiness

In 2024, the top three happiest countries in the world were Finland, Denmark, and Iceland. What do all of these countries have in common? Healthy people! Finland, Denmark, and Iceland have life expectancies of 69.9 years, 70.1 years, and 71.4 years, respectively. These numbers reflect the influences of social support, GDP per capita, perceptions of corruption, and other socioeconomic factors that each country’s population faces. If you’d like to learn more about these rankings, take a look at the WHR website.

Happy Hint: The United States ranks 24th in the world on the World Happiness Report. What do you think we should do to rise to the top?

Were you surprised by these rankings? What’s your secret to happiness? Any tips for others? Feel free to share your thoughts and comments on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and all of our social media accounts!