Vietnam makes remarkable progress In Happiness

Taiwan is the happiest country in Asia

 

An Asian country snatches the title of "happiest nation"... not as you expect!

The 2025 World Happiness Report revealed that Taiwan is the happiest country in Asia, advancing to 27th place globally from 31st last year, overtaking Singapore, which had topped the continent.

Scandinavian countries led the world, with Finland retaining the top spot for the eighth consecutive year, followed by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and the Netherlands, according to CNBC Make It.

The World Happiness Report is based on Gallup World Poll data, which collects people's assessments of their lives over the past three years (2022-2024). The country scores are analyzed according to six key factors, including:

GDP per capita

Social support

Healthy life expectancy

Personal freedom

Generosity and community solidarity

Asia's happiest countries in 2025

According to the report, Taiwan topped the list of the happiest Asian countries:

1. Taiwan

2. Singapore

3. Vietnam

4. Thailand

5. Japan

6. Philippines

7. South Korea

8. Malaysia

9. China

10. Mongolia

Meal sharing: A new factor for happiness

The report revealed the impact of social norms on happiness levels, showing that meal sharing plays a crucial role in enhancing well-being, equivalent to income and unemployment.

According to the data, Taiwanese share more than 10 meals per week, ranking eighth globally in terms of the rate of communal dining.

East Asian countries, such as Japan and South Korea, recorded low levels of meal sharing due to the increase in the number of single-person households and an aging population.

Vietnam: Rapid Rise in the Happiness Index

Among the countries that have made significant progress is Vietnam, which rose from 54th place in 2024 to 46th this year, achieving a jump of approximately 40 places in five years, after ranking 83rd in 2020.

The report emphasizes the importance of social ties in enhancing quality of life, pointing to the need to revive social customs, such as sharing meals, as a means of strengthening community cohesion and achieving collective well-being.