Belief in the kindness of others is much more closely tied to happiness than previously thought, according to findings published today (20 March) in the World Happiness Report 2025. Global evidence on the perceived and actual return of lost wallets shows that people are much too pessimistic about the kindness of their communities compared to reality.
Actual rates of wallet return are around twice as high as people expect. Believing that others are willing to return your lost wallet is also shown to be a strong predictor of population happiness: Nordic nations once again top the ranking of the world’s happiest countries, but they also rank among the top places for expected and actual return of lost wallets. The findings are published today to mark the UN’s International Day of Happiness.
They are powered by Gallup World Poll data and other sources, including the Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll, and analysed by leading experts in wellbeing science. Further results published in this 13th edition of the World Happiness Report, focused on the theme of “caring and sharing,” include:
● Sharing meals with others is strongly linked with wellbeing across all global regions, but the number of people dining alone in the United States has increased 53% over the past two decades.
1 ● Household size is closely linked to happiness. Four to five people living together enjoy the highest levels of happiness in Mexico and Europe, but many people in Europe are living on their own.
2 ● In 2023, 19% of young adults across the world reported having no one they could count on for social support. This is a 39% increase compared to 2006.
3 ● Deaths of despair are less frequent in countries where benevolent acts are more frequent.
4 ● Declining happiness and social trust in the U.S. and parts of Europe combine to explain the rise and direction of political polarisation and anti-system votes.
5 ● The cost-effectiveness of charities varies dramatically. Some charities are hundreds of times better at increasing happiness per dollar than others.
6 The World Happiness Report 2025 also contains a ranking of the world’s happiest countries. Finland leads the world in happiness for the eighth year in a row, with Finns reporting an average score of 7.736 (out of 10) when asked to evaluate their lives.
One of the most interesting aspects of this year’s report is Kosovo’s significant improvement, as it has climbed noticeably in the rankings. Kosovo is now positioned in 29th place, making it the happiest country in the Balkans. This improvement is substantial and reflects factors such as economic stability, social development, and a more positive perception of life.
On the other hand, Albania ranks 89th, which is still relatively low compared to neighboring countries. This suggests that, despite improvements in certain areas, the country continues to face challenges in citizen well-being, particularly in terms of corruption perception and social support.
How Do Regional Countries Compare?
Looking at the Western Balkans region, Kosovo leads as the happiest country, followed by:
- Serbia – 31st place
- Bosnia and Herzegovina – 56th place
- Montenegro – 71st place
- North Macedonia – 86th place
- Albania – 89th place
This ranking indicates that countries in the region have made progress in improving quality of life, but challenges remain. Factors such as economic development, social support, and corruption levels play a key role in determining happiness levels.
Why Is Kosovo Ranked Higher Than Albania?
There are several reasons why Kosovo ranks better than Albania in this happiness report:
- Stronger social support – The report suggests that Kosovar citizens report a greater sense of community and social solidarity.
- Lower perception of corruption – While corruption remains an issue in the region, public perception of it appears to be lower in Kosovo compared to Albania.
- Optimism and future prospects – Data shows that Kosovars have a more optimistic outlook on their economic and social future.
- Improvements in quality of life – Economic growth and foreign investments have positively influenced the perception of well-being.
On the other hand, Albania continues to face structural challenges, including high corruption perception, a lack of trust in public institutions, and economic difficulties that directly impact citizens’ sense of happiness.
This report reminds us that happiness is not just about individual success but also about our contributions to others, fostering a more connected and happier society for everyone.
0 comments