In a remarkable rise up the global happiness rankings, Taiwan has been crowned the happiest place in Asia, according to the 2025 World Happiness Report, published on March 20, 2025. The self-ruled island took the 27th spot worldwide, moving up from 31st place last year, dethroning Singapore, which previously held the title of Asia’s happiest country.
The report, a collaborative effort by leading experts in well-being science, is based on data from the Gallup World Poll. It evaluates individuals’ self-assessed life satisfaction across six key factors:
- Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita
- Social support
- Healthy life expectancy
- Freedom
- Generosity
- Perceptions of corruption
Globally, Nordic countries continued to dominate the rankings, with Finland claiming the top spot for the eighth consecutive year, followed by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
Taiwan’s Recipe for Happiness
Taiwan’s rise in the rankings has been attributed to several factors, but one standout contributor is the high rate of shared meals among its population. According to Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, director of the Wellbeing Research Centre at Oxford University and editor of the report, shared meals are a significant predictor of happiness, comparable to the influence of income and unemployment.
In contrast, other East and South Asian countries, such as Japan and South Korea, report much lower levels of meal-sharing, a trend linked to the rise of single-person households and aging demographics.
The Happiest Places in Asia (2025)
Here are the top 10 happiest places in Asia as ranked by the report:
- Taiwan
- Singapore
- Vietnam
- Thailand
- Japan
- Philippines
- Republic of Korea
- Malaysia
- China
- Mongolia
Vietnam’s Happiness Surge
Another notable development in this year’s report is Vietnam’s dramatic climb in the rankings. The Southeast Asian nation jumped from 54th place in 2024 to 46th this year. Over the past five years, Vietnam has risen nearly 40 spots, reflecting its growing economic stability and improved quality of life.
The Power of Connection
The 2025 World Happiness Report places a renewed emphasis on the importance of social connections, particularly in an era marked by increasing social isolation and political polarization. De Neve stressed the need to bring people together, saying, “In this era of social isolation and political polarization, we need to find ways to bring people around the table again—doing so is critical for our individual and collective wellbeing.”
Key Takeaway
Taiwan’s ascent as Asia’s happiest place highlights the profound impact of cultural practices like meal-sharing and the importance of fostering social connections. As other countries in the region grapple with rising isolation, Taiwan serves as an inspiring example of how small, everyday habits can lead to a happier and more fulfilling life.
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