Jakarta, ThedailyID — Israel ranked among the world’s 10 happiest countries in the World Happiness Report 2026, despite ongoing security tensions and regional conflicts that have affected the country in recent years.
The report placed Israel in eighth place globally. The ranking puts Israel ahead of several major economies and places it alongside some of the world’s most developed nations.
The result may seem surprising given the country’s security challenges. However, the World Happiness Report measures more than short-term emotions or daily moods.
Researchers evaluate countries using several indicators. These include income levels, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and perceptions of corruption.
According to the report, Israel continues to perform strongly in social support and community connections. Many residents report having family members, friends, and communities they can rely on during difficult times.
Experts say strong social cohesion plays a major role in the country’s ranking. Close family relationships and a strong sense of belonging often help people maintain life satisfaction during periods of uncertainty.
The report also highlights resilience as an important factor. Researchers found that people can report high levels of life satisfaction even when facing external challenges, provided they have strong social networks and trust in those around them.
Meanwhile, Nordic countries continued to dominate the rankings. Finland retained its position as the world’s happiest country for the ninth consecutive year.
Iceland, Denmark, Costa Rica, and Sweden completed the top five.
Top 10 Happiest Countries in the World 2026
- Finland
- Iceland
- Denmark
- Costa Rica
- Sweden
- Norway
- Netherlands
- Israel
- Luxembourg
- Switzerland
Beyond country rankings, the 2026 report identified a growing decline in happiness among young people in North America and Western Europe. Researchers linked part of the trend to changes in social behavior and the growing influence of digital technology.
The findings suggest that happiness depends on more than economic prosperity alone. Social relationships, community support, and trust remain among the strongest predictors of well-being around the world.
