Published on Saturday, March 20, 2026
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Costa Rica has been ranked as the happiest country in the Americas, according to the 2026 edition of the World Happiness Report.

The report, which draws on data from the Gallup World Poll, ranks countries based on how residents evaluate their own lives, offering a widely recognized snapshot of global well-being.

Researchers attribute Costa Rica’s rise to strong community ties, a focus on environmental sustainability and a lifestyle that prioritizes well-being over economic output alone.

 

Globally, Costa Rica climbed to fourth place, up from eighth in 2025, marking the first time a country in the Americas has reached the global top five.

According to the report, Finland ranked first  worldwide in happiness, followed by Iceland in second place and Denmark in third.

Elsewhere in the Americas, Mexico ranked 12th, while the United States placed 23rd and Canada ranked 25th, the report reads.

Costa Rica, home to about 5 million people and covering nearly 20,000 square miles, has also shown consistent performance in the Human Development Index, produced by the United Nations Development Programme. In 2025, Costa Rica ranked 62nd globally and fifth in Latin America.

The UNDP classifies Costa Rica as achieving higher human development than other nations at similar income levels, with stronger outcomes in equality and overall well-being than the regional median.

The country also scores highly in democratic governance, press freedom, subjective happiness and sustainable development. It has one of the highest literacy rates in the Americas and is widely regarded as a regional leader in human rights and environmental protection.

Costa Rica has also recently been ranked first in the SCS Chauffeurs Index of destinations travelers are most likely to revisit and recommend to others.

The latest rankings highlight Costa Rica’s continued global recognition as a leader in well-being and quality of life.

----------------
What rank did your country achieve in the World Happiness Report? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com