Lithuania has been named the happiest country in the world for young people, according to a recent report by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford. The study analyzed Gallup World Poll data to determine rankings based on life-satisfaction polls in each country, reflecting subjective well-being. While Lithuania was ranked 19th overall on the happiness list, it secured the top spot for people under 30.
The capital city of Vilnius has become a popular destination for young professionals seeking career opportunities. Ricardo Sergio Schmitz, a Brazilian consultant based in Vilnius, noted that moving to Lithuania allowed young workers to grow and access better positions than they would in their home countries.
However, happiness rankings have decreased significantly in some countries, including the United States which fell from 15th position in 2023 to 23rd in 2024. The US dropped to 62nd place in the under-30 category, behind countries like Saudi Arabia and Guatemala. Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, a professor and editor of the report, expressed surprise at the decline in happiness among American youth.
De Neve noted that the trend of decreased happiness among young people was primarily observed in North America and Western Europe. Finland also experienced a decrease in youth happiness compared to adults, falling to seventh place for people under 30 while maintaining its top spot in the overall rankings.
Overall, these findings suggest that factors such as career opportunities and quality of life can play a significant role in determining happiness levels among young people around the world.
