Saudi Arabia ranked 22nd globally in the World Happiness Report 2026, marking a significant improvement from its 32nd position in the 2025 edition of the report. This represents a 10-place rise year-on-year, based on the latest published rankings.
The World Happiness Report evaluates countries using average life evaluations, drawn from survey data collected through the Gallup World Poll. Respondents are asked to rate their lives on a scale from 0 to 10, providing a measure of overall life satisfaction.
Rankings in the report are calculated using three-year averages of this data to ensure consistency and reliability. The 2025 report is based on data from 2022–2024, while the 2026 edition reflects updated averages covering 2023–2025.
In addition to life evaluations, the report identifies several key variables that help explain differences in happiness levels across countries. These include GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and perceptions of corruption. However, the rankings themselves are determined solely by individuals’ self-assessed life satisfaction rather than these factors directly.
Globally, the 2026 report highlights that more countries have experienced increases in life satisfaction than declines when compared to the 2006–2010 baseline period. It also notes that while there is general stability in rankings year-to-year, even relatively small changes in average life evaluations can result in noticeable shifts in position.
While Nordic countries continue to dominate the top of the rankings, the Kingdom’s steady climb signals a shift within the region, reflecting ongoing social and economic transformations. The report also emphasizes that improvements in wellbeing are often tied to long-term investments in quality of life, community support, and national development strategies.
Regionally, based on the global rankings published in the World Happiness Report 2026, Saudi Arabia ranks among the top countries in the Middle East and North Africa, placing second in the region. The United Arab Emirates holds the highest regional position at 21st globally, followed closely by Saudi Arabia at 22nd. Kuwait follows as the next highest-ranked country in the region at 40th place globally, based on the same report.
The 10-place jump positions Saudi Arabia as one of the most improved countries year-on-year which is an achievement that underscores the country’s evolving social landscape and growing focus on citizen wellbeing.
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