The 2025 World Happiness Report has been released, and this year, it has highlighted the importance of social connections and giving back to your community.
The World Happiness Report assesses the current state of happiness around the world, and this year’s edition revealed that Finland has been ranked as the happiest country in the world for the eighth consecutive year.
Read on to discover how caring and sharing could help you improve your life.
Can caring make us happier?
Although there was a rise in generosity during the Covid-19 pandemic, the report found that acts of kindness have decreased over the past five years.
One of the report’s biggest revelations is that being kind and expecting kindness from others is a stronger indicator of happiness than avoiding major negative events that could impact your mental health, such as economic hardship or crime.
In fact, they found that people believing their lost wallet would be returned to them indicates more happiness than if their income doubled.
So, the simple belief that others will act with honesty and decency contributes more to greater overall life satisfaction than you might think.
Benevolence can benefit both the giver and the receiver
Engaging in acts of kindness – such as helping a stranger, volunteering, or donating to a good cause – provides you with a psychological boost. However, it also creates a ripple effect by encouraging others to do the same.
Indeed, the report found that people who regularly engage in benevolent acts experienced higher life satisfaction than those who don’t.
Long-term studies also show that sustained acts of generosity lead to improved mental and physical health, stronger social connections, and longer lifespans.
Strong social connections are an important cornerstone of happiness
Social connections with your friends and family are a crucial buffer against the toxic effects stress can have on your health.
Loneliness can have chronic effects on your mental and physical health, including symptoms such as increased feelings of sadness and anxiety, as well as putting you at a bigger risk of strokes and heart disease.
Although technology has connected us more than ever, the report found that, in 2023, nearly one in five young adults worldwide reported having no one they could rely on for support – a 39% increase compared to 2006.
You can spread kindness and combat loneliness in yourself and others by becoming an active member of your community. Indeed, the report found that a 10-percentage-point increase in prosocial engagement is associated with roughly one less death per 100,000 people each year.
5 ways to be more active in your community
If you want to spread kindness to the people around you, you first must put yourselves in situations where you interact with them.
Read on to discover our five top tips for being more active in your community.
1. Donate your time or money
There are plenty of ways you can volunteer your time or donate money and resources so you can get the warm fuzzy feelings that come with helping a cause you care about.
For example, you could look after the animals at your local shelter, clear out your cupboards to donate to your nearest charity shop, or donate to a fundraising effort.
2. Support local businesses
Independent cafes, restaurants, and shops are amazing spaces for fostering community spirit, and many of them run fun events as well as being a great place to meet people who live close to you.
Putting money back into these businesses can help them stay open for longer as hubs of your local neighbourhood.
3. Join a class or club you enjoy
One of the easiest ways to connect with people is by regularly going to the same place, and a fun way to get out of the house more is by taking part in a club for a hobby you enjoy or a class for a skill you want to develop.
Libraries are a good place to start when looking for events like this. They often host meet ups like regular book or film clubs, as well as classes to learn new skills run by people in your local community.
4. Keep an eye out for local events
Keeping an eye on your local newspaper and radio station announcements can help you discover new music, arts, or sports events where you can connect with other people.
From watching your local sports team win to enjoying a special outdoor film screening, these events can help you to make new friends and spread some joy.
5. Be kind
Above all else, the World Happiness Report emphasised the importance of just being kind.
It isn’t always something we can plan for. But choosing to make compassionate choices to support the people around you – whether they are your loved ones or strangers – can help to make the world a kinder and happier place.
