In 2026, Costa Rica made a remarkable leap to become the fourth happiest country in the world, as noted in the World Happiness Report, which traditionally has been dominated by Nordic nations.
For the first time in 14 years of publication, a Latin American country has entered the top 5 in the World Happiness Report, showcasing significant changes in how happiness is measured globally. Costa Rica has ascended from the 23rd position in 2023 to the fourth in 2026, reflecting improvements in several quality of life indicators as evaluated by its residents. The report, created by the Gallup Institute, the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre, and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Solutions Network, utilizes a comprehensive assessment that includes GDP, social support, life expectancy, freedom perception, generosity, and corruption levels among the measured parameters.
