Unknown twice as much as we think, examines the study

The strangers are about twice as much as people think, suggests a study of happiness around the world.

This year’s report on the happiness of world happiness – published on Thursday – measures confidence in strangers by deliberately losing portfolios, seeing how much they are returned and comparing how many people think they will be betrayed.

The degree of the returned portfolios was almost twice as high as the intended people and the study, which gathered evidence from around the world, found the belief in the goodness of others, was more related to happiness than previously thought.

The report is ranked in Finland as the most liable country in the world for the eighth year, with the US and the UK slipping on the list.

John F. Helwell, an economist at the University of British Colombia and a fundamental editor of the report, said data from the portfolio experiment shows that “people are much more happy, where they think people are taking care of each other.”

He added that the study showed that people were “everywhere too pessimistic”, with portfolios much more likely to be returned than intended.

The 13th annual report on the happiness of the world, published to mark the International Day of Happiness of the UN, ranks the most common countries in the world, asking people to appreciate their lives.

Finland again ranked first with an average of 7,736 out of 10, while Costa Rica and Mexico first entered the top 10.

Both the United Kingdom and the United States have slipped to the 23rd and 24th respectively -the largest position for the latter.

The study, published by the University of Oxford University’s Research Center, asked people to appreciate their own lives on a scale of 0-10 -zero is the highest possible life, and 10 is the best possible life.

The country’s ranking is based on a three -year average of these results.

The World Happiness Report 2025 also found:

• reducing happiness and social confidence in the US and parts of Europe combined to explain the rise and direction of political polarization;
• Sharing dishes with others was highly related to well -being around the world;
• The size of households was closely related to happiness, with four to five people living together enjoy the highest levels of happiness in Mexico and Europe

Jeffrey D. Sachs, President of the UN Sustainable Development Network, said findings confirm that “happiness is rooted in trust, kindness and social connection.”

“It is from us as virtuous individuals and citizens to translate this vital truth into positive actions, thus encouraging peace, citizenship and well -being in communities around the world,” he said.

Jan -emmanuel de Neve, director of the Oxford Welfare Research Center, added: “In this era of social isolation and political polarization, we must find ways to bring people around the table again – this is crucial to our individual and collective well -being.”