What is the story about?
HELSINKI (AP) — The World Happiness Report 2026, released on Thursday, reveals that excessive social media use negatively affects the well-being of young
individuals, particularly teenage girls in English-speaking nations and Western Europe. This annual report from the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford ranks Finland as the happiest country for the ninth consecutive year, with other Nordic nations like Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway also appearing in the top ten.
Decline in Life Evaluations
The report indicates a significant decline in life evaluations among individuals under 25 in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand over the past decade, attributing this trend to prolonged social media usage.Costa Rica's Rise
Costa Rica has notably ascended to fourth place in the rankings, up from 23rd in 2023, attributed to the strong family bonds and social connections that contribute to its citizens' well-being.Expert Insights
Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, an Oxford economics professor, commented on Costa Rica's ranking, stating, “We think it’s because of the quality of their social lives and the stability that they currently enjoy.”He further emphasized the strong social ties prevalent in Latin America, which enhance their social capital compared to other regions.
Factors for Nordic Success
The report credits Finland and other Nordic countries' consistent top rankings to a combination of wealth, equitable distribution, a supportive welfare state, and high life expectancy.Unhappiest Nations
As in previous years, countries experiencing major conflicts remain at the bottom of the happiness rankings, with Afghanistan again cited as the unhappiest nation, followed by Sierra Leone and Malawi.Survey Methodology
The rankings are based on survey responses from approximately 100,000 individuals across 140 countries, who rated their lives on a scale of 0 to 10. This study was conducted in partnership with Gallup and the U.N. Sustainable Development Solutions Network.Impact on Teenage Girls
The report highlights a concerning trend for teenage girls, with those using social media for five or more hours reporting a significant drop in life satisfaction compared to their peers who use it less.Young people who limit their social media use to less than one hour daily report the highest well-being levels, while adolescents are estimated to spend an average of 2.5 hours per day on these platforms.
Social Media Dynamics
Researchers observed that in regions like the Middle East and South America, the relationship between social media use and well-being appears more favorable, with youth well-being remaining stable despite heavy usage.The report identifies platforms with algorithmic feeds and visual content as particularly problematic, as they promote social comparisons, while communication-focused platforms tend to yield better outcomes for users.
English-Speaking Nations' Rankings
The 2026 report marks the second consecutive year without any English-speaking countries in the top ten, with the United States ranked 23rd, Canada at 25th, and the United Kingdom at 29th.This year's report, emphasizing social media's influence, arrives as various countries are considering or have enacted bans on social media for minors.
