Canada Slides in World Happiness Rankings as Social Media Use Linked to Declining Well-being
OTTAWA, Canada (AP) – Canada has fallen to 25th place in the latest World Happiness Report, marking its lowest ranking since the report’s inception in 2012. The annual study, released Thursday, highlights a concerning trend of declining well-being, particularly among young people, with researchers pointing to heavy social media use as a significant contributing factor.
The Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, which publishes the report, found that Finland remains the happiest country in the world for the ninth consecutive year, consistently topping the list alongside other Nordic nations like Iceland, Denmark, and Sweden.
Canada’s drop from 18th place last year and a previous high of 5th in 2015 signals a steady decline in overall life satisfaction. The United States ranked 23rd in the 2026 report.
Researchers observed a particularly sharp decrease in life evaluations among those under 25 in Canada, the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. This coincides with a period of increased social media consumption, leading experts to believe a correlation exists. A recent StatCan report from February 2024 indicated that 91% of young Canadians aged 15-24 use social networking sites, with nearly all (99%) accessing the internet.
The World Happiness Report 2026 underscores a complex relationship between social media and happiness globally. While the report doesn’t definitively prove causation, it adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that excessive online engagement can negatively impact mental well-being.
“Heavy social media use has contributed to a stark decline in well-being among young people,” the report states, noting the effects are particularly pronounced among teenage girls in English-speaking countries.
Conversely, the report highlights the continued hardship faced by populations in conflict zones. Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the rankings, followed by Sierra Leone and Malawi.
The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
