The United States has fallen to its lowest in the world's happiness rankings. In the recently released World Happiness Report 2025, the country ranks 24th out of more than 140 nations evaluated. That's a disturbing statistic, especially considering that in 2012 - the first year of the report - the U.S. ranked 11th.

What has happened since then, what makes a wealthy, technologically advanced and diverse country declare itself increasingly dissatisfied with its life?

To understand this phenomenon, it is necessary to look beyond Gross Domestic Product or macroeconomic indicators. This year's report focuses on a revealing aspect: more and more Americans are eating alone.

Eating alone, feeling alone

In an article published by The New York Times titled "Americans Are Unhappier Than Ever. Solo Dining May Be a Sign," journalist Sopan Deb notes that, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' American Time Use Survey, about 25% of Americans said they ate all of their meals for the day unaccompanied during 2023. This figure represents a 53% increase over 2003, and among adults under 25 the increase is even more pronounced: 80% more meals alone over the past two decades.

In the words of Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, a professor at Oxford University and one of the authors of the report, "the degree to which you share meals is an indicator of the social support you have, the prosocial behaviors you exhibit, and the trust you have in others." This was stated in an interview with The New York Times.

The correlation between social isolation and subjective well-being is not new, but this year's report highlights it as one of the most relevant factors in understanding the country's fall in the rankings. Agence France-Presse (AFP) coverage, signed by Anna Korkman from Helsinki, states that "the growing number of people eating alone is one of the reasons for the decline in well-being in the United States."

The epidemic of loneliness

This pattern fits with what many experts have called the "loneliness epidemic," especially among young people. According to De Neve, quoted by The New York Times, isolation not only impacts mental health, but also increases political polarization.

"The fact that we are increasingly socially isolated also means that we are not testing our ideas with other people. And the less we share spaces with those who think differently, the more radical we become," explained De Neve.

This reflection connects with another finding of the report: interpersonal trust in the U.S. has declined from 50% in the 1970s to 30% today. This decline in trust is not just a matter of individual perception, but also fuels broader political phenomena.

As the report states, "declining happiness and social trust in the United States and parts of Europe has fueled a series of anti-establishment political victories, such as the election of President Trump and the rise of political polarization." In this context, social isolation is not just an intimate experience: it is also a factor that transforms collective behavior.

The deaths of despair

Other worrying indicators add to this trend. In the same AFP article, it is cited that the United States is one of the few countries where the so-called "deaths of despair", i.e., those caused by suicide or substance abuse, have increased. While in most countries these figures are decreasing, in the U.S. they have continued to grow, affecting mostly young adults.

This data also appears in the official report, which includes interviews and surveys conducted between 2022 and 2024, that is, before Donald Trump's return to the White House.

The combination of loneliness, hopelessness and polarization contributes to a complex emotional landscape. It is not just economic malaise, but a widespread sense of disconnection.

Other countries are happier

In contrast to the U.S. setback, some countries have made significant progress. Finland, for the eighth consecutive year, remains the happiest country in the world. In an interview with AFP, Frank Martela, a researcher in well-being and happiness at Aalto University, explained: "Finns live in a relatively well-functioning society. We have democracy, free elections, freedom of speech and low levels of corruption. All this predicts higher levels of national well-being."

Finland's ambassador to the United States, Leena-Kaisa Mikkola, participated in a panel discussion on the report in Washington. As reported by The New York Times, the diplomat attributed Finnish happiness to mutual trust, education, closeness to nature and even "weekly sauna sessions." Mikkola also pointed out a key cultural difference: "Our American friends smile and laugh a lot more than we do. But happiness for us is perhaps simply being content."

Another interesting example is Costa Rica, which this year reached No. 6 and enters the top 10 for the first time, along with Mexico (10th). On the same panel, Costa Rican Ambassador Catalina Crespo Sancho used a charming metaphor to describe her country's attitude: "We are like lazy people: slow, peaceful, we get along with everyone. But we get where we need to go, even if it takes us time."

Overall, the report shows that the happiest countries share certain structural characteristics: strong social support, accessible health systems, interpersonal trust, freedom to make decisions and low levels of corruption.

What can we do?

This year's report also emphasizes something hopeful: acts of generosity and trust in the kindness of others are even stronger predictors of happiness than income.

"People are overly pessimistic about kindness in their communities," the report concludes. A curious fact that proves it: in the Nordic countries, the rate of returning lost wallets is much higher than people imagine.

So how do we reverse this trend in the United States?

First, it is necessary to promote spaces for social connection, such as shared meals, community activities or volunteer programs.
In addition, active listening and conversation with those who think differently should be encouraged to reduce radicalization.
Countries that invest in mental health and emotional well-being, especially in young people, also achieve better results.
Finally, it is necessary to regain social trust through public policies that combat inequality and corruption.

The fall of the United States in the happiness ranking is not just a statistical anecdote: it is a mirror of what is happening in the hearts of its citizens. Eating alone, distrusting others and feeling disconnected: all this is part of a profound diagnosis that challenges individuals, communities and governments alike.

As Ambassador Mikkola said during her speech: "In a small country, perhaps there is more awareness that we need each other. In a big country, one can withdraw into one's own corner." Perhaps the first step to improving our collective happiness is to get out of that corner and sit down at the table, together.

With information from AFP