Australians often report high happiness due to a blend of strong social connections (mates, family), a positive work-life balance, good healthcare, safe cities, and a sense of freedom and control over their lives, though economic pressures like cost of living can impact this, with personal relationships, financial confidence, and community involvement being key drivers, along with lifestyle factors like enjoying the outdoors.
Freedom to make your own choices and feel in control of your life and your surroundings is a major impact on your overall happiness. Freedom of speech, opinion, religion, association and movement is a basic right in most countries, however, in Australia, this is monitored and people are given freedom through safety.
The rankings show Australia trailing behind Israel, Mexico, and the Nordic countries, while Finland retains the title of the happiest country in the world for the eighth consecutive year.
Australians are happier than Kiwis, Americans, and Brits, according to a new report. But there's also a generational divide that highlights a "worrying trend".
Ranking of the least happy countries worldwide 2024, by score. Afghanistan was ranked the least happy country in the world, according to the World Happiness Report from 2025. The country scored only 1.36 on a scale from 0 to 10.
2021 World Happiness Report
Finland holds the rank of the happiest country in the world for the fourth consecutive year. It is followed by Denmark, Switzerland, Iceland and Netherlands.
In Australia, a smile is more than just an expression; it's a cultural emblem. When you think about it, our teeth often tell stories—of laughter shared, confidence gained, and sometimes even struggles faced.
Yes, $100k is generally considered a strong salary in Australia, placing you above the average (which hovers around $90k-$108k for full-time, but median is lower) and allowing for a comfortable life, though its impact depends heavily on location (major city vs. regional) and personal expenses like housing and dependents, as high living costs in cities like Sydney can stretch this income further than in regional areas.
No, Australia is not 90% white; while a large majority identify with European ancestry (around 76-80% in recent years), a significant and growing portion identifies as Asian, African, Middle Eastern, or Indigenous, making it a highly multicultural nation with diverse ethnic backgrounds, not overwhelmingly white. Recent census data shows European ancestry (English, Irish, etc.) makes up a large chunk, but Asian ancestries are also substantial, with over 17% Asian population and around 3.8% identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, per the 2021 census data from Wikipedia.
Adelaide has been ranked Australia's happiest city in the global Happy City Index, scoring highly across 82 measures of liveability and wellbeing. Our beloved South Australian capital seems to find itself on lists like these rather frequently, and we don't think it's by coincidence.
World happiness scores from 2015-2024
The United States ranked 24th happiest in the world (down from 23rd in 2024) and Australia ranked 11th (down from 10th in 2024). The rankings are based on the Cantril Ladder scores from the annual Gallup World Poll.
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.
Yes, $70k is a fair salary in Australia, often near the median income, making it a decent living for a single person, especially outside major cities, but it can be tight in expensive areas or for those with high living costs like mortgages, with full-time averages now closer to $90k-$100k.
There's just no place like Australia
The 2,800 annual hours of sunshine, magnificent native scenery and delicious local gastronomy all contribute to making Australia a land like no other. It's easy to smile when Australia is your backyard, and we'd love to share it with you. So, what are you waiting for?
"Ozzy Ozzy Ozzy, Oi Oi Oi" (often written as "Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi") is a patriotic Australian sports chant, a rallying cry of national pride, originating from older British cheers like "Oggy Oggy Oggy," with "Aussie" being slang for Australian, and "Oi" functioning as an emphatic interjection, similar to "Hey!" or "Go!". It's used at sporting events, sometimes considered a bit cheesy or "cringey" by some Australians, but generally seen as an inclusive way to support national teams.
To be in Australia's top 1% of individual taxpayers, you generally need an annual income of around $375,000 to $390,000, though figures vary slightly by source and year, with higher thresholds for households (around $530,000). For context, the median individual income is much lower (around $55,000), and while top earners often include surgeons and anaesthetists, reaching the top 1% of net worth requires significantly more wealth, often exceeding $7 million.
How to avoid paying higher-rate tax
The average Australian full-time worker is now earning more than $2000 a week for the first time in history. New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show the average ordinary full-time weekly earnings for adults hit $2011.40 before tax in May.
According to Stephen Alomes, a professor of Australian studies at Deakin University, the chant represents "enthusiasm for the tribe" and a "celebration of 'us' ", but at the extreme may act as a symbol of aggressive nationalism and xenophobia.
Topping the list is Indonesia, indicating a high prevalence of positive emotional expression among its population.
Only half of all Australians brush their teeth twice a day. It's important to brush your teeth every morning and night to prevent the build-up of bacterial plaque which causes permanent staining on your teeth and can lead to oral diseases.
From our natural beauty to our global reputation for kindness, Canada just took the crown as the place people love most.
The lucky country - still lucky
He's right. We're not without challenges: affordability, inequality, and infrastructure pressures among them, but in the global context, Australia remains remarkably well positioned. We have political stability, strong institutions, and a prosperous, open economy.
The 13th annual World Happiness Report, released to mark the UN's International Day of Happiness, ranks the world's happiest countries by asking people to evaluate their lives. Finland again took top spot with an average score of 7.736 out of 10, with Denmark in second.