There's no single "nicest" country for children, but reports consistently rank Nordic nations (Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland) and Switzerland highly for child well-being, safety, happiness, and family-friendly environments, often due to strong social support, good education, and work-life balance, though metrics like health or life satisfaction can vary slightly between studies.
The Netherlands is the country of the happiest children. This small European country is known for its relaxed atmosphere, safe streets and high quality of life.
Dutch kids are the happiest kids in the world, according to a 2025 UNICEF report.
Scandinavian countries, such as Sweden and Norway, are renowned for their permissive parenting style, which is characterized by an emphasis on children's rights and equality.
Safety and high living standards are the hallmarks of life in New Zealand. With a low crime rate, a reliable police force, and a world-class healthcare system, the country provides a safe haven for its residents.
1. Norway tops the list of Save the Children's 2015 Mothers' Index, which ranks the well-being of mothers and children around the globe. 2. Finland came in second place in the global report, which ranks countries on maternal health, children's well-being, educational status, economic status and political status.
According to a new UNICEF report, the Netherlands, Denmark, and France top the list for overall child well-being, while countries like the U.S. didn't even make the cut.
Best Countries for Raising Kids
Finland: home to the smartest kids in the world
French parents typically expect children to respect authority figures, including parents, teachers, and other adults. By following “Le Cadre” parents teach children the importance of following rules and respecting authority and hierarchy, which fosters discipline and social skills.
Finland holds the rank of the happiest country in the world for the third consecutive year. It is followed by Denmark, Switzerland, Iceland and Norway.
Top 10 Countries in the World with Friendliest People on Earth
The 7-7-7 rule of parenting generally refers to dedicating three daily 7-minute periods of focused, undistracted connection with your child (morning, after school, bedtime) to build strong bonds and make them feel seen and valued. A less common interpretation involves three developmental stages (0-7 years of play, 7-14 years of teaching, 14-21 years of advising), while another offers a stress-relief breathing technique (7-second inhale, hold, exhale).
The World's Friendliest Nations, According To Scientific Study
The latest Expat Insider 2025 ranking reveals the world's least friendly countries for foreigners, with Kuwait once again taking the top spot. Expats cite challenges in making local friends, difficulties integrating into the culture, and a generally unwelcoming social environment.
Most popular countries for expat families
According to the Global Peace Index and Legatum Prosperity Index, Iceland, Portugal, Denmark, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Canada consistently rank among the safest countries in terms of safety, offering peace of mind for raising children.
10 unhappiest countries in the world
What's it about? Ten-year-old Joe Smith becomes the most average kid in the country and receives endless gifts and special treatment, making him question if being extraordinary is all it's cracked up to be.
For one-child families, having a daughter is shown to bring significantly more happiness to parents compared with having a son, especially when their children are over 20 years old (Lu et al., 2017).
Most Attractive Nationalities In The World
According to a 2018 Pew Research study, 47% of Black children, 23% of Hispanic children, 13% of White children, and 7% of Asian children lived with a single mother.
Japan. Western women are a few of the most devoted on the globe. They believe that their husbands must be happy in relationship, and they will do whatever it takes to build them look and feel this way. For this factor, they are referred to as most loyal women.