The world’s happiest countries report calls attention to youth well-being

The 2026 World Happiness Report, from the University of Oxford and Gallup, reveals that Nordic countries like Finland, Iceland, and Denmark are the happiest globally. Happiness is measured by life evaluations, while well-being includes emotions. The report highlights that social media use might affect young people’s well-being, though its impact is complex. Interestingly, negative emotions have decreased among youth, except in North America and Western Europe, where happiness has declined over 15 years. Despite this, young people today are more empathetic and inclusive. The report uses a survey asking people to rate their life on a scale from 0 to 10, offering a snapshot of global well-being but not explaining why some countries are happier than others. QUESTION: How might the way young people use social media today influence their happiness and well-being in the future?