The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/happiness/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Wed, 10 Jun 2026 17:55:07 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png happiness | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/happiness/ 32 32 Despite war, Israel ranks 8th in global happiness survey, same as last year https://www.timesofisrael.com/despite-war-israel-ranks-8th-in-global-happiness-survey-same-as-last-year/ Thu, 19 Mar 2026 04:02:07 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3781198 Findings reflect overall satisfaction with society and life, says Bar-Ilan University researcher Anat Fanti, but concurrent rise in distress levels also show psychological cost of conflict

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]]> Israel ranks as 8th-happiest nation in global survey, down from 5th last year; US is 24th https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-ranks-as-8th-happiest-nation-in-global-survey-down-from-5th-last-year/ Thu, 20 Mar 2025 11:47:54 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3507007 Despite ongoing war and political turmoil, Israeli young adults rank highest in self-reported quality of social connections; in the 'freedom' section, Israel only placed 87th

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]]> Israel drops one place to 5th in global happiness list; Finland retains top spot https://www.timesofisrael.com/finland-retains-top-spot-in-global-happiness-list-israel-drops-to-5th-place/ Wed, 20 Mar 2024 02:00:29 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3249361 UN-sponsored index, based on data from 2021-2023, predates Oct.7 attack, Gaza war; highest positions dominated by Nordic countries, with US falling to 23rd, Britain 20th

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]]> Israel soars to 4th place in global happiness list, highest since ranking started https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-soars-to-4th-place-in-global-happiness-list-highest-since-ranking-started/ Mon, 20 Mar 2023 11:27:55 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2978659&preview=true&preview_id=2978659 UN-sponsored index, based on data from 2020-2022, predates government's divisive judicial overhaul plan; list is again topped by Finland, with US 15th, Britain 19th and France 21st

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]]> Even if you’re faking it, smiling makes you feel happier, international study finds https://www.timesofisrael.com/even-if-faked-smiling-makes-you-feel-happier-huge-international-study-finds/ Thu, 20 Oct 2022 16:18:42 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2855768 β€˜It’s true β€” when you smile it makes you happier,’ says Israeli psychologist from the 19-country research group, suggesting smile muscles trigger happy feelings

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]]> Israel jumps to 9th in World Happiness index, its highest-ever ranking https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-jumps-to-9th-in-world-happiness-index-its-highest-ever-ranking/ Fri, 18 Mar 2022 13:57:08 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=2727293 Finland again tops the UN-sponsored list, with the US in 16th, Britain 17th, France 20th; research was completed before Russia's invasion of Ukraine

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]]> Survey of 145 countries indicates more people unhappy in 2017 https://www.timesofisrael.com/world-survey-indicates-more-people-unhappy-in-2017/ Fri, 14 Sep 2018 16:33:18 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1925490 Gallup Global Emotions Report sees rise in experiences of worry, stress, sadness and pain; Paraguay top for positive emotions

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]]> Israel is 11th happiest nation in the world; US slides to 18th https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-is-11th-happiest-nation-in-the-world-for-fifth-year-in-succession/ Wed, 14 Mar 2018 16:14:35 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1809974 Jewish state maintains its high ranking on list of 156 countries for fifth successive year, but gets less praise for attitude to migrants; Finland tops list, PA is at 104

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]]> Israel is world’s 11th-happiest country, but… https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-is-worlds-11th-happiest-country-but/ Mon, 20 Mar 2017 15:41:43 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1583804 Separate poll finds that about one-third of Israeli Jews would move abroad given the opportunity; Jewish state places above US (14th), Germany (16th) and UK (19th)

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]]> The perfect life https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/staying-positive-through-pls-and-prosthetics/ Thu, 06 Oct 2016 12:24:31 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1475511 On staying positive in the face of adversity -- from prosthetics to PLS to other bumps on the road of daily living

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]]> UAE’s happiness minister urges more positive stories https://www.timesofisrael.com/uaes-happiness-minister-urges-more-positive-stories/ Wed, 11 May 2016 23:12:09 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1390920 Ohood Al Roumi, first to hold the new post, says optimistic people are more productive and creative

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]]> Israelis are happier than Americans, survey finds https://www.timesofisrael.com/israelis-happier-than-americans-germans-study/ Wed, 16 Mar 2016 21:28:07 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1359326 Jewish state ranks 11th in global happiness index, above Germany, UK, Ireland, despite violence; Denmark, Switzerland top list

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]]> A ‘kibbutz’ experience in California does wonders for the soul https://www.timesofisrael.com/a-kibbutz-experience-in-california-does-wonders-for-the-soul/ Sun, 28 Feb 2016 16:51:34 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1345117 Israeli-American author Nir Eyal says meeting regularly with a set group of friends leads to happiness, better relationships

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]]> The day the smile wouldn’t leave my face https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-day-the-smile-wouldnt-leave-my-face/ Mon, 09 Nov 2015 13:55:40 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1280197 Blood, sweat, rain, and a totaled bike couldn't put a damper on a joyous ride for a good cause

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]]> UN ranks Israel 11th-happiest country worldwide https://www.timesofisrael.com/un-ranks-israel-11th-happiest-country-worldwide/ Sun, 26 Apr 2015 08:43:41 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1172756 Jewish state above US in World Happiness Report, but below Canada and Australia, among others; Switzerland the happiest

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