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New Delhi. Youth around the world are feeling happier and satisfied by maintaining distance from social media. The World Happiness Report-2026 of the Wellbeing Research Center of the University of Oxford states that young people under 25 who have limited use of digital platforms have a better quality of life than those who spend long periods of time on screens.

According to the report, college students in America and Europe are personally realizing that they can live more peaceful and better lives without social media. This platform has become only a medium for them to fulfill social pressure.

Finland tops the ranking, slight improvement in India

Finland became the world’s happiest country for the ninth consecutive year. India ranked 116th this year among a total of 147 countries, which is two ranks higher than the 118th position in 2025.

expert opinion

Experts say excessive use of social media poses a threat to mental health and life satisfaction. Young people in countries where there are restrictions on social media prioritize social relationships, family and physical activity and are more mentally healthy.

Youth’s disillusionment with the digital world

The report also revealed that students of America and other countries are giving priority to distance themselves from social media. They believe that they are using these platforms only because of social pressure.

regional difference

Nordic countries like Iceland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway feature in the top-10, while the life evaluations of youth under 25 in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have declined in the last decade. The study asked nearly a million people from 140 countries and territories to rate their lives.

Happiness is not just economic prosperity

The report makes it clear that happiness does not depend only on economic status. Strong welfare systems, social equality and high life expectancy are the main reasons behind the success of the Nordic countries. In contrast, countries like Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and Malawi are at the bottom of the ranking.

Example of Finland and Costa Rica

People in Finland (first place) and Costa Rica (fourth place) give more importance to social equality, nature and mutual brotherhood than technology. Oxford economics professor Jan-Emmanuel de Neve explains that this is due to the quality and stability of their social life.