Vietnam Ranked Second Happiest in Southeast Asia by World…

Vietnam has been ranked as the second happiest country in Southeast Asia by the 2025 World Happiness Report, rising to 46th globally. Finland remains the happiest nation for the eighth year, while the U.S. falls to 24th. Key happiness factors include social trust and community support, as concerns about social isolation among youth increase.

According to the 2025 World Happiness Report, Vietnam has been ranked as the second happiest country in Southeast Asia, following Singapore. This year, Vietnam improved significantly in the rankings, moving from 54th place in 2023 to 46th globally. The report identified Vietnam along with China, Mongolia, and the Philippines as notable gainers in happiness in Asia.

Finland has retained its title as the world’s happiest nation for the eighth consecutive year, and the Nordic countries continue to dominate the top rankings, with Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden following closely. Overall, European nations performed well, filling the majority of the top 20 slots.

Despite the ongoing conflict, Israel achieved an eighth-place ranking. Costa Rica and Mexico also entered the top 10 for the first time, landing at sixth and tenth places, respectively. In contrast, the United States fell to its lowest position, ranking 24th, attributed in part to increasing rates of Americans dining alone.

The World Happiness rankings are derived from self-assessments of life satisfaction gathered by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, in collaboration with Gallup, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and an independent editorial board. Jon Clifton, CEO of Gallup, stressed that true happiness goes beyond financial wealth, highlighting the importance of trust and community support.

The report identified key elements that contribute to happiness, including health, wealth, and social interactions such as shared meals. Additionally, a strong belief in the kindness of others correlated with increased life satisfaction. Nevertheless, a troubling trend emerged, as 19 percent of young people worldwide reported having no reliable social support, a significant increase of 39 percent since 2006.

In conclusion, the 2025 World Happiness Report underscores Vietnam’s remarkable improvement in happiness rankings, placing it second in Southeast Asia. The findings reveal important insights into the relationships between trust, social connections, and overall well-being. As communities aim to foster stronger bonds, addressing the isolation faced by many, particularly the youth, is crucial for enhancing happiness globally.

Original Source: asianews.network