
Why Mexico and Canada are much happier countries than the US
World Happiness Report 2025 is out. And, surprise, surprise—Mexico and Canada, the two countries frequently targeted by US President Donald Trump, have been ranked much higher than the United States in terms of happiness.
According to the UN-backed report, the United States is ranked 24th, while Canada stands at 18th. Surprisingly, Mexico has an even better ranking at 10th place.
Notably, this marks the worst ranking for the US since the report's inception in 2012, when it achieved its peak ranking of 11th place. One of the biggest reasons for the decline in American happiness, according to the report, is eating meals alone.
«The number of people dining alone in the United States has increased by 53 percent over the past two decades,» the authors stated, highlighting that shared meals are strongly linked to well-being.
Data from 2023 showed that approximately 25% of Americans consumed all their daily meals alone.
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The report also highlighted that while most nations have seen a reduction in 'deaths of despair'—fatalities from suicide or substance misuse—the US has experienced an increase.
The survey gathered data worldwide between 2022 and 2024, before US President Donald Trump’s impact on domestic and international affairs following his January return to the White House.
Where Does the US Rank?
While the US ranks high in GDP per capita (4th place), it performs significantly worse in other key areas:
Freedom: 115th place
Perceptio