The 2026 UN World Happiness Report ranked Norway first among 143 countries, with particularly high scores in social support, GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, freedom, and low corruption.
The rankings provide insights into what policies contribute to well-being, informing governance worldwide.
Top ranking in 2026 report
High scores across 6 categories
Nordic countries dominate top 10
Norway has a 37.5-hour standard work week and 25 minimum paid vacation days.
Norway ranked as the world's happiest country for the seventh time in eight years in the UN World Happiness Report. This development builds on a longer history of events in world.
Looking ahead: Norway ranked as the world's happiest country for the seventh time in eight years in the UN World Happiness Report. Looking forward, this story is likely to develop further as new information emerges.
- 01Norway ranked happiest for 7th time in 8 years
- 02High scores in social support and freedom
- 03Strong welfare system cited as key factor
2017: First #1 ranking
2025: #2 ranking
2026: Returns to #1
Norway ranked happiest for 7th time in 8 years
happiest
/ˈhæpiɪst/adjectiveMeaning: Having a feeling arising from a consciousness of well-being or of enjoyment; enjoying good of any kind, such as comfort, peace, or tranquillity; blissful, contented, joyous.
Easy meaning: Having a feeling arising from a consciousness of well-being or of enjoyment
Example: Music makes me feel happy.
seventh
/ˈsɛv.ənθ/nounMeaning: The person or thing in the seventh position.
Easy meaning: The person or thing in the seventh position.
particularly
/pəˈtɪkjəli/adverbMeaning: (focus) Especially, extremely.
Easy meaning: (focus) Especially
Example: The apéritifs were particularly stimulating.
support
/səˈpɔːt/nounMeaning: (sometimes attributive) Something which supports.
Easy meaning: (sometimes attributive) Something which supports.
Example: Don't move that beam! It's a support for the whole platform.
healthy
/ˈhɛl.θi/adjectiveMeaning: Enjoying health and vigor of body, mind, or spirit: well.
Easy meaning: Enjoying health and vigor of body
Example: He was father to three healthy kids.
freedom
/ˈfɹiːdəm/nounMeaning: The state of being free, of not being imprisoned or enslaved.
Easy meaning: The state of being free
Example: Having recently been released from prison, he didn't know what to do with his newfound freedom.
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