World Happiness Report 2026: Saudi Arabia advances 10 places

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia achieved an exceptional accomplishment in World Happiness Report , published by the Oxford Centre for Wellbeing Research in collaboration with Gallup International. The Kingdom made remarkable progress, ranking 22nd globally out of 147 countries included in the ranking. This improvement of 10 places compared to last year, with a score of 6.817 out of 10, reflects the significant efforts undertaken to raise the standard of living for both citizens and residents.

The roots of the shift towards prosperity in the Kingdom

This achievement was not a sudden occurrence, but rather the fruit of deep strategic planning that began with the launch of Saudi Vision 2030. Historically, the Kingdom has focused on transforming its economy and diversifying its resources, but the Vision placed "people" at the heart of development. From this emerged the Quality of Life Program as one of the most important programs for achieving the Vision, undertaking the task of improving the lifestyle of individuals and families and building a society where its members enjoy a balanced way of life. From its inception, the program relied on precise international performance indicators, making continuous improvement a measurable and achievable goal.

World Happiness Report criteria and indicators

The World Happiness Report is published annually to coincide with the International Day of Happiness, observed on March 20th. The report's methodology relies on rigorous and comprehensive surveys covering more than 140 countries worldwide. Individual satisfaction with life is measured based on six key factors: GDP per capita, level of social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity in society, and levels of anti-corruption efforts. These criteria, taken together, provide a true picture of well-being in different countries.

The economic and social impact of Saudi progress

The Kingdom's progress in this international ranking carries significant implications across various levels. Domestically, this achievement strengthens the confidence of citizens and investors in the robustness of the economy and the success of government policies, as quality-of-life sectors contributed over $20.5 billion to the Kingdom's GDP. It also succeeded in attracting non-governmental investments exceeding $5.8 billion and boosting non-oil exports by more than $5.6 billion. Regionally and internationally, this progress solidifies Saudi Arabia's position as a globally attractive destination for living, working, and investing, and presents an inspiring model for countries in the region on how to balance rapid economic growth with achieving social well-being.

Saudi Arabia surpasses major countries

This steady progress reflects the positive impact of comprehensive transformations in vital sectors such as tourism, culture, entertainment, and sports. These sectors have directly contributed to promoting healthy lifestyles within society and building an integrated, human-centered system that enhances well-being. It is a source of pride that the Kingdom ranked ahead of several major and developed countries, placing higher than the United States (23rd), Canada (25th), and the United Kingdom (29th). Meanwhile, Finland maintained its top position on the list for the ninth consecutive year, followed by Iceland and Denmark.