Despite Ongoing Conflict, Israel Ranks Among World’s Happiest Nations
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — In a surprising result given the backdrop of continued conflict, Israel has ranked eighth in the World Happiness Report, marking the second consecutive year at that position. The report, released Thursday, places Finland at the top for the ninth year running, with the United States at 23rd and the United Kingdom at 29th.
The ranking comes as many Israelis navigate daily life under the strain of ongoing missile and rocket attacks from Iran and Hezbollah, with schools closed and travel restricted since fighting escalated on February 28. Despite the immediate challenges, the report highlights a consistent upward trend in Israel’s happiness levels since 2021.
“Israel’s ranking has consistently gone up since 2021,” said Anat Fanti, a happiness policy researcher at Bar-Ilan University, in comments to The Times of Israel. “It doesn’t surprise me because Israelis have a sense of meaning and purpose, which contributes to their overall satisfaction with life.”
The World Happiness Report bases its rankings on six key parameters: economic stability, healthy life expectancy, social support, charitable giving, freedom to make life choices, and perceptions of corruption. Fanti suggests that factors not directly measured by the report – strong family ties, community bonds, faith, and a sense of belonging – also contribute significantly to Israeli well-being.
Notably, the report reveals a striking contrast between generations within Israel. Israelis under the age of 25 reported the highest levels of happiness, ranking third globally, a stark difference compared to the declining happiness reported among young people in other Western nations, like the United States, which ranked 60th in that demographic.
Fanti attributes this to the unique experiences of young Israelis, who often enter mandatory military service instead of pursuing higher education, and develop a strong sense of social connection. “Young Israeli people are much more grounded compared to their age group in other countries,” she explained.
While the overall ranking remains high, the report also indicates a significant increase in negative emotions. Measures of worry, sadness, and anger among Israelis have worsened considerably, moving from 119th place before October 7, 2023, to 39th worldwide. This shift reflects the psychological toll of the ongoing conflict, particularly following the Hamas attacks of that date.
“Israel’s result in this year’s World Happiness Report does not erase the psychological and social cost of the war,” Fanti said. “On the contrary, it highlights the gap between the resilience of Israeli society and the difficult emotional reality of daily life.”
The report’s data is based on a three-year average, meaning the current ranking reflects data from 2023, 2024, and 2025. Fanti cautions that the full impact of the current conflict may not yet be fully reflected in the results.
Looking ahead, Fanti emphasizes the need to reinforce social and mental health services and rebuild public trust, which has been eroded, with Israel falling to 107th place in the perception of corruption indicator. “Resilience is not forever,” she warned.
Other Nordic countries continue to dominate the top of the rankings, with Iceland and Denmark following Finland in second and third place, respectively. Costa Rica emerged as a newcomer, securing fourth place.
