New publishing partnership for World Happiness Report

• World Happiness Report to be published at the University of Oxford under new global partnership
• 2024 Report, powered by data from the Gallup World Poll, centres around theme of happiness at various stages of life
• Findings to be revealed at a series of international events on March 20 to coincide with UN International Day of Happiness

The World Happiness Report will be published under a new global partnership between Gallup, Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre, and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

Powered by data from the Gallup World Poll, the World Happiness Report is the world’s foremost publication on global happiness: an annual publication which provides valuable, interdisciplinary insights into the wellbeing and happiness of people across the globe.

In addition to the rankings of the world’s ‘happiest’ countries, the report includes curated submissions from experts at the forefront of wellbeing science.

The 2024 edition focuses on happiness ‘through the ages’, with: a closer look at wellbeing among children and young people across different global regions; an examination of the wellbeing impact of dementia among older generations; and an analysis of happiness across India’s 1.4billion+ population.

These findings, including the 2024 nation rankings, will be shared for the first time on March 20, during an in-person and live-streamed global launch, in partnership with Semafor, at Gallup HQ in Washington DC (USA), followed by a panel discussion at the World Happiness Summit in London (UK).

Each edition of the World Happiness Report serves as a significant resource for governments, policymakers, researchers, and individuals interested in understanding the complex factors that contribute to human wellbeing. At its core, it seeks to quantify and measure happiness as a fundamental indicator of societal progress. It goes beyond traditional economic measures, such as GDP, and provides in-depth analyses into wellbeing and its drivers across the globe.

From 2024 the World Happiness Report will be a publication of the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford.

The editorial team is formed of John F. Helliwell, Lord Richard Layard, Jeffrey D. Sachs, Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, Lara B. Aknin, and Shun Wang.

Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, Director of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre and a Professor of Economics and Behavioural Science at the Saïd Business School, said: “We could not be more excited to host publication of further significant insights via the World Happiness Report at the University of Oxford in 2024, and in the years to come.

“We wish to place on record our thanks to fellow editor Jeff Sachs and his team at SDSN for the role they have played in enabling the World Happiness Report to date, and are grateful for their continued support in addition to our other valued research partners.

“The World Happiness Report is a partnership which would not be possible in its current form without positive collaboration between Gallup, our Wellbeing Research Centre, SDSN and the entire Editorial Board.”

Jon Clifton, Gallup’s CEO said: “Our involvement in the World Happiness Report epitomizes Gallup’s dedication to bringing rigorous, data-driven insights to the global conversation on happiness. This initiative perfectly aligns with Gallup’s vision of a world where leaders listen to what truly makes life worthwhile, as told through the voices we gather and analyze.”       

Prof Jeffrey D. Sachs, President of SDSN and Director of the Earth Institute’s Center for Sustainable Development, said: “As our world continues to face deep challenges and crises, our nations should put the happiness of their citizens and the world’s citizens at the center of public policies. The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network is very proud of our strong partnership with Gallup and Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre to produce the World Happiness Report.

“The World Happiness Report has become an important tool worldwide for helping governments, businesses, and civil society to promote human prosperity and sustainability for all. We are deeply committed to expanding its insights and global reach in the years ahead.”

Viewers may register to join the livestream of the Gallup launch here.