The World Happiness Report-2026 from Oxford University, which measures life satisfaction across 147 countries, ranked Finland as the happiest country in the world, followed by Iceland and Denmark.

Iran came at 97th spot, Pakistan secured the 104th place, while India ranked 116th.

The report pointed out that people in Pakistan and Iran scored higher than Indians in areas like generosity and social cohesion, which contributed to their overall ranking.

Experts said the report highlights how people in Pakistan and Iran manage to maintain a strong sense of well-being, even in the face of political instability, external pressures, and social tensions.

In contrast, India’s lower ranking reflects the impact of rising societal pressures, growing inequality, and increasing political polarisation, all of which appear to take a toll on people’s overall happiness.

The report looks at a variety of factors to determine how people feel about their lives, including income, health, social support, personal freedoms, generosity, and perceptions of corruption.