World Happiness Report 2025: India Rises to 118th Rank
Why in the news
The World Happiness Report 2025, which ranks countries on three-year averages (2022-2024), placed India higher than a year earlier, though still behind several neighbours.
Key facts
- India’s score: 4.389 (2022-24) versus 4.054 earlier; rank 118th of 147 (previously 126th of 143).
- Method: the Gallup World Poll asks people to rate their present life from 0 (worst) to 10 (best).
- Factors: GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom of choice, generosity, perceived corruption.
South Asia compared (2022-24)
| Country | Score | Gap vs 2006-10 |
|---|---|---|
| Nepal | 5.31 | +0.71 |
| Pakistan | 4.77 (earlier 4.66) | -0.37 |
| India | 4.39 | -0.58 |
| Sri Lanka | 3.89 | -0.38 |
| Bangladesh | 3.85 | -0.92 |
BRICS snapshot (2022-24 score)
- Brazil 6.49, Russia 5.95, China 5.92, South Africa 5.21, India 4.39: India is last among them.
India vs Pakistan
- Per capita income 2023 (World Bank): India $2,480.8, Pakistan $1,365.3.
- Healthy life expectancy 2021: India 58.1 years, Pakistan 56.9 years.
- So India leads on economic measures but trails on subjective well-being.
Exam angle
- Data source: Gallup World Poll; scale 0-10.
- India 2025 rank: 118th; Nepal is the top South Asian scorer listed.