"Once again, Finland sits at No. 1. Finns reported an average life evaluation score of 7.764 out of 10, well ahead of most other countries.

"Sisu, that mix of resilience, determination and inner strength, helps us navigate life's challenges, from long, dark winters to economic downturns," Mkitalo said in a statement.

"It comes from knowing that support is there when needed, whether through our strong social policies like generous shared parental leave and tuition-free university education or every persons' right to roam forests and recharge in nature."

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"Costa Rica is one of the standout performers this year, rising to No. 4"its highest-ever ranking and a notable moment for Latin America. The country has been on a steady climb. It was No. 23 in 2022, No. 12 in 2024 and No. 6 in 2025."

At the same time, the rankings highlight a notable absence: For the second year in a row, none of the English-speaking countries appear in the top 10, with only half placing in the top 20.

New Zealand comes in at No. 11, followed by Ireland (No. 13), Australia (No. 15), the United States (No. 23), Canada (No. 25) and the United Kingdom (No. 29).

Not every country is moving in the right direction. The United States ranks 23rd this year, up one spot from last year, but it's still part of a longer-term decline that has been underway for more than a decade.

A key driver behind the decline: younger Americans. According to the report, life satisfaction among people under 25 in the U.S."along with Canada, Australia and New Zealand"has dropped significantly over the past decade.

What's striking is that this trend is not global. In most other parts of the world, young people are actually reporting higher levels of wellbeing than in the past."

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"Social democracies with thriving capitalist economies, such as those in the Nordic model, combine a capitalist economy with a large welfare state, high employment, and universal education.

These systems are designed to foster economic growth while ensuring high standards of living, free education, and strong social safety nets."

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Universal edumacation in this country would be the downfall of the Republican Party; most of their voters have a high school diploma at most.