Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy professor Sara Konrath, Ph.D., is a contributing author to the 2025 World Happiness Report. The report, released on the International Day of Happiness, provides valuable insights into the wellbeing and happiness of people across the globe.
The report ranks the world’s happiest countries and includes curated chapters from experts at the forefront of wellbeing science to showcase some of the emergent ideas and trends on the annual theme. It is published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, in partnership with Gallup, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and an independent editorial board.
This year’s theme is Caring and Sharing. Konrath collaborated on a key chapter that is a global analysis of the relationship between happiness and kindness, along with fellow psychologists Felix Cheung and Yeeun Archer Lee, economist Haifang Huang and report editors John Helliwell, Lara Aknin and Shun Wang.
Belief in the kindness of others is much more closely tied to your happiness than previously thought, the report finds. For example, if you lose your wallet, how you feel about the chances of it getting returned can affect your happiness. The more you trust it will get returned, the happier you are. As it turns out, people are much kinder than we expect the report indicates.
We're also happier when we're thinking of others and when we're caring for others, the research shows. Konrath says there are ways that we can amplify our happiness through the joy of giving.
There are three Cs.
- Caring connections. Being in communities with others who also care. You trust that other people have your goodwill in mind, and you also do the same for them.
- Choice. Nobody wants to be forced to give. It has to come from you and support what you actually care about.
- Clear positive impact. We need to know when we're giving that it's actually going to make a difference for somebody.
Further results published in this 13th edition of the World Happiness Report include:
- Sharing meals with others is strongly linked with wellbeing across all global regions, but the number of people dining alone in the United States has increased 53% over the past two decades.
- The cost-effectiveness of charities varies dramatically. Some charities are hundreds of times better at increasing happiness per dollar than others.
- Finland is ranked as the happiest country in the world.
- Afghanistan is ranked as the unhappiest country in the world.
- The United States ranks 24th, falling to its lowest-ever position. It peaked at 11th in 2012.
- Social connections are vital for the wellbeing of young adults, as they provide a buffer from the toxic effects of stress.
Learn more about the report and watch a video.
About the World Happiness Report
The World Happiness Report (WHR) is a partnership of Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and the WHR’s Editorial Board. The report is published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford and produced under the editorial control of the WHR Editorial Board. Powered by data from the Gallup World Poll, the World Happiness Report is the world’s foremost publication on global happiness: an annual publication which provides valuable, interdisciplinary insights into the wellbeing and happiness of people across the globe. In addition to the rankings of the world’s happiest countries, the report includes curated submissions from experts at the forefront of wellbeing science.
About the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is dedicated to improving philanthropy to improve the world by training and empowering students and professionals to be innovators and leaders who create positive and lasting change. The school offers a comprehensive approach to philanthropy through its undergraduate, graduate, certificate and professional development programs, its research and international programs, and through The Fund Raising School, Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy, Women’s Philanthropy Institute, and the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative. Follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter), LinkedIn, or Instagram and “Like” us on Facebook.