World Happiness Index 2025: A Closer Look at India’s Ranking
Recently, the World Happiness Report 2025 was released, and once again, India’s ranking has become a topic of discussion. Many people are questioning how countries like Pakistan, Ukraine, and even Palestine have been ranked higher than India in terms of happiness. This ranking has sparked debates about the methodology used and whether it accurately reflects the true happiness levels of different nations.
Understanding the World Happiness Index
The World Happiness Report is an annual publication by the United Nations (UN) that ranks countries based on various happiness indicators. It is prepared using data from multiple sources, including Gallup surveys, and considers factors such as:
- GDP per capita
- Social support
- Life expectancy
- Freedom to make life choices
- Generosity
- Perceptions of corruption
This year, India has been placed at 118th position, while countries like Ukraine (rank 111), Palestine (rank 108), and Venezuela (rank 113) have been ranked higher. This has raised many eyebrows, especially considering the economic and political instability in these nations.
Comparison with Other Happiness Reports
While the UN’s World Happiness Index places India quite low, another global happiness survey by Ipsos (a French multinational firm) presents a completely different picture. According to the Ipsos Global Happiness Survey 2025, India is among the happiest nations in the world.
Key Findings of Ipsos Happiness Index 2025
- India ranks among the happiest countries, alongside the Netherlands and Mexico.
- The survey focuses on 30 key countries rather than ranking all nations.
- It does not rely on GDP per capita as a major factor.
- India is ranked No. 1 in the “Very Happy” category.
This stark difference in rankings raises an important question: Which survey should we trust?
Flaws in the UN Happiness Index
A closer look at the methodology of the UN report reveals some key flaws:
- Small Sample Size
- The UN survey typically interviews only around 1,000 people per country, which is too small for a country as diverse as India (population: 1.4 billion).
- These respondents may not represent the true sentiment of the entire nation.
- Subjective Nature of Happiness
- The survey relies on people’s perceptions, which can be influenced by various factors such as media narratives, political bias, or temporary economic conditions.
- GDP Per Capita as a Dominant Factor
- The UN report gives significant weight to GDP per capita, which puts developing nations like India at a disadvantage.
- However, wealth alone does not determine happiness, as seen in several poorer but happier nations.
- Western Bias
- The top-ranking countries in the UN report are mostly European nations like Finland, Denmark, and Iceland.
- This raises concerns about cultural bias, as the report may favor Western ideals of happiness.
India vs. Other Nations: Is the Ranking Justified?
It is hard to believe that:
- Palestine, a war-torn region with constant conflict, is happier than