The UAE remains the happiest country in the Gulf, being the only nation in the region to feature in the top 25. Kuwait ranked 30th, Saudi Arabia 32nd, Oman 52nd, and Bahrain 59th…reports Asian Lite News
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been ranked 21st in the annual UN-sponsored World Happiness Report, placing it ahead of the United States (24th), the United Kingdom (23rd), and Germany (22nd). The rankings, released on International Day of Happiness, highlight the UAE’s strong commitment to well-being and quality of life.
The UAE remains the happiest country in the Gulf, being the only nation in the region to feature in the top 25. Kuwait ranked 30th, Saudi Arabia 32nd, Oman 52nd, and Bahrain 59th. The report, compiled by Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, assesses income, social support, life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and corruption levels, based on three-year averages of people’s self-reported life satisfaction.
Among South Asian countries, Pakistan ranked 109th, ahead of India at 118th, while Afghanistan placed last at 147th. In the Arab world, Algeria ranked 84th, followed by Iraq at 101st, Palestine at 108th, Morocco at 112th, Tunisia at 113th, Jordan at 128th, Egypt at 135th, Yemen at 140th, and Lebanon at 145th.
Nordic countries maintained their lead, with Finland ranking first for the eighth consecutive year, followed by Denmark and Iceland. Meanwhile, the US recorded its lowest-ever ranking at 24th, with analysts attributing the decline to weakened social connections. Experts noted that dining alone in the US has risen by 53% over the last two decades, signalling a decline in communal experiences.
UAE’s Vision for Happiness
The UAE has long prioritised happiness as a national goal. In 2016, it introduced the position of Minister of State for Happiness, later expanding it to cover well-being and quality of life. Since then, multiple government initiatives have focused on enhancing community happiness.
The UAE celebrates International Day of Happiness every March 20, reaffirming its commitment to enhancing residents’ well-being. This year’s ranking aligns with the “Year of Community”, an initiative aimed at fostering social solidarity, happiness, and stability.
The 2025 World Happiness Report emphasised that acts of generosity and trust in others are greater indicators of happiness than financial wealth, reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to a cohesive and supportive society.
