Feeling a bit down under: Australia drops out of world’s top 10 happiest countries

Australia drops to 11th in the latest World Happiness Report rankings, with New Zealand 12th and Nordic nations still on top of the world

Australians are no longer happy little Vegemites, according to new research.

The latest World Happiness Report shows Australia has failed to make the top 10 world’s happiest countries list.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email

Topics

Finland is the happiest country in the world for the eighth year in a row

For the eighth year in a row, Finland ranked in the top spot on the World's Happiness Report's annual ranking of the happiest countries in the world.
CNBC - 1d
Trump vows to take ‘hundreds of billions’ in tariffs as Australia’s hopes of getting exemption fades

Australia unlikely to escape US president’s global steel and aluminium tariffs despite intense lobbying to be carved out. Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our ...
The Guardian - Mar. 11
Islamophobic incidents in Australia have doubled over the past two years, research suggests

Islamophobia in Australia report details 309 in-person incidents between early 2023 and late 2024, with girls and women bearing the brunt of the attacks. Follow our Australia news live blog for ...
The Guardian - Mar. 13
Australian man survives 100 days with artificial heart in world-first success

Sydney surgeons ‘enormously proud’ after patient in his 40s receives the Australian-designed implant designed as a bridge before donor heart. Follow our Australia news live blog for latest ...
The Guardian - Mar. 11
These 18 US cities are among the happiest in the world, new report says

Even as the U.S. slips in the global happiness rankings, 18 of its cities landed among the latest "Happy City Index."
The Hill - 1d
Finland again ranked happiest country in the world. US falls to lowest-ever position

Finns are the happiest people in the world, according to a new global report
ABC News - 1d
Northern Territory’s growing saltwater crocodile population gorging on nine times more prey than 50 years ago

Research shows apex predators are increasing in numbers and excreting important nutrients into Top End waterways. Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news ...
The Guardian - Mar. 12
This island is the happiest place in Asia, according to the 2025 World Happiness Report

According to the 2025 World Happiness Report, Taiwan is the happiest place in Asia, followed by Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand and Japan.
CNBC - 1d
Body found in NSW bushland believed to be missing six-year-old girl

Body found in North Nowra area believed to be girl last seen on Sunday afternoon. Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news ...
The Guardian - 4d

More from The Guardian

Israel to ‘seize more ground’ and warns Hamas it will annex parts of Gaza

Defence minister issues threat as IDF intensifies offensive with ‘non-stop’ overnight attacks across territory. Israel’s defence minister said he had instructed the military to “seize more ground” ...
The Guardian - 1h
Hegseth says Musk did not see China war plan as Trump announces new jet fighter program – US politics live

Defense secretary says Musk was at Pentagon to talk about efficiencies; president says new F-47 jet has state-of-the-art stealth technology. Trump awards Boeing contract to build next-generation ...
The Guardian - 34m
Heathrow closure: airport resumes some flights today and hopes for full Saturday service - live

First plane has landed since fire caused closure but people still told not to travel to the airport unless advised to do so by airline. Counter-terror police leading fire inquiry Tell us: have ...
The Guardian - 26m
Octopus jumps shark and goes for a ride on its back

Researchers spot orange Maori octopus clinging to back of large shark off coast of New Zealand in December 2023. Footage of an octopus riding a shark has stunned scientists – and delighted marine ...
The Guardian - 1h
Russia continues strikes on Ukraine as drones hit Odesa overnight

Amid uncertainty as to when part-ceasefire will take effect, Kremlin says it will cover only ‘energy infrastructure’. Waves of Russian drones pounded the Ukrainian port city of Odesa overnight, ...
The Guardian - 2h

More in World

Live Updates: Flights Resume at Heathrow After Fire Disrupted Travel

The cause of a giant fire that knocked out power to one of the world’s busiest airports was under investigation. Diverted flights were to be the first to arrive, but analysts said the chaos could ...
The New York Times - 13m
Heathrow closure: airport resumes some flights today and hopes for full Saturday service - live

First plane has landed since fire caused closure but people still told not to travel to the airport unless advised to do so by airline. Counter-terror police leading fire inquiry Tell us: have ...
The Guardian - 26m
Why Shoppers Abroad Are Boycotting U.S. Goods

A growing number of Europeans and citizens of other countries are choosing not to buy American products to demonstrate their anger at President Trump’s policies.
The New York Times - 29m
Hegseth says Musk did not see China war plan as Trump announces new jet fighter program – US politics live

Defense secretary says Musk was at Pentagon to talk about efficiencies; president says new F-47 jet has state-of-the-art stealth technology. Trump awards Boeing contract to build next-generation ...
The Guardian - 34m
Boat Race sinks to academic snobbery lows amid ‘slimy’ eligibility row

Dispute between Oxford and Cambridge proves even rowing can be a contact sport when it comes to blue boats. With almost 200 years of intense rivalry the Boat Race has already inspired several major ...
The Guardian - 43m