Finland is consistently ranked as the happiest country in Europe (and the world) according to the World Happiness Report for multiple years running (e.g., 2024, 2025), followed closely by other Nordic nations like Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and the Netherlands. These countries lead due to strong social support, freedom, low corruption, and high GDP per capita, with Finland often highlighted for its deep connection to nature and accessible wellness practices like saunas.
Here are the world's 10 happiest countries
Finland has been named the world's happiest country for the eighth year in a row, but the outlook in other parts of Europe was not quite so sunny. This year's World Happiness Report saw the UK's happiness sink to its lowest level since 2017, coming in at number 23 on the list.
Bulgarians were the unhappiest nation in the European Union in 2022, according to the new EU Happiness Index. The rating scale used in the Eurostat survey ranges from 0, indicating absolute dissatisfaction with life, to 10, indicating that things couldn't be better.
According to Condé Nast Traveller's 2025 Readers' Choice Awards, one often-overlooked country has officially been crowned Europe's friendliest. Readers across the world shared their travel intel, and the surprise winner? Estonia.
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In a non-European Union context, the term E3 is commonly used to describe the three largest western European economies: France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
According to Eurostat, Hungary is now the poorest country in the European Union based on real income per capita—not GDP, but how much citizens can actually afford. Once more prosperous, it now trails behind Romania and Bulgaria. And while Orbán flatters Putin and attacks Brussels, his people pay the price.
Among the EU countries, Portugal (12.2%) had the highest share of the population reporting chronic depression in 2019, followed Sweden (11.7%), Germany and Croatia (both 11.6%). In contrast, the share of people reporting chronic depression was lowest in Romania (1.0%), Bulgaria (2.7%) and Malta (3.5%).
According to the Global Peace Index, Belgium is one of the best and most peaceful places to live in Europe and in the world. Belgium's medieval cities, majestic castles, and spectacular natural beauty will surely put you in a tranquil and grateful state of mind.
Skipton topped the poll ahead of Richmond upon Thames and Camden in London, fellow North Yorkshire town Harrogate and Woodbridge in Suffolk.
In a region fraught with conflict, Israel consistently ranks as one of the happiest nations on Earth. Bound by family, united through community, and strengthened by a shared resilience, Israelis embrace life amid adversity.
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Finland is in the top position in the world happiness report in 2022.
#RTN: Canada has been ranked the most loved country in the world for 2025, according to data shared by WorldAtlas. The list highlights strong global admiration for countries known for quality of life, safety, natural beauty, and social stability.
The study reveals that Greece is the most stressed country in Europe, totalling the highest Stress Score of 71.8 out of 100. Turkey ranks as the second most-stressed country in Europe. Portugal places as the third most stressed country in Europe.
With a score of just 49 on the Mental Health Quotient (MHQ), the UK came second to last worldwide, ahead of only Uzbekistan. Even more concerning, 35% of Brits were classed as “distressed or struggling,” the highest share anywhere, compared to a global average of just 14%.
The Richest Countries In Europe 2025
Vatican City is not only the least populous country in the entire world but also the least populated in the entire European continent. According to statistics, Around 825 people live within the region that is called Vatican City.
Exactly, if you take the rich parts of London out of the picture, the UK is one of the poorest countries in Europe. Living standards in the poorest parts of the UK are lower than the poorest parts of Lithuania and Slovenia.
Don't blink as we blitz through Europe's tiniest countries: Vatican City, the planet's smallest country, boasts the its biggest church.
However, after a Swiss referendum held on 6 December 1992 rejected EEA membership by 50.3% to 49.7%, the Swiss government decided to suspend negotiations for EU membership until further notice. These did not resume and in 2016, Switzerland formally withdrew its application for EU membership.
The European Group of Five (E5) in the European Union is an unofficial group of five European states —France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain with the largest populations and thus with the majority of votes in the Council of the European Union.