The Countries Where You Can 'Buy Happiness' According To New Data
Money can't buy happiness, as the saying goes, but in a lot of cases, it objectively makes for an easier and less stressful life. In fact, new data has shown a clear correlation between the happiest countries in the world and the financial stability of its inhabitants.
The 2025 World Happiness Report showed that increased national happiness directly generates between 1% to 3% economic growth, showing a clear correlation between wealth and overall well-being.
A recent study from an online gaming company analyzed data from over 45 countries around the world with the highest GDP in order to understand the countries where money really can buy happines. The data included a comparison between GDP per capita to happiness rating, the quality of life, and the economic freedom in each country.
Here are the countries where, according to the data, money can 'buy happiness.'
The top country in the world where money can allegedly buy happiness is Luxembourg. The country earned a composite score of 98 thanks to its strong financial stability and overall satisfaction of its residents. It ranked 9th in happiness in the world but has the highest GDP per capita on the list, at $147K. Switzerland
Thun cityspace with Alps mountain and lake in Switzerland getty
Switzerland earned second place with a composite score of 81.8. The country ranked as the 13th happiest country in the world and also has a GDP of $100K per person with more economic freedom than Luxembourg. Denmark
The third country on the list is Denmark, with a total score of 78.4. The country ranks high for quality of life and overall happiness (it's the second-happiest country in the world) and boasts a GDP of $69K per capita. Norway
Beautiful nature lanscape of Lofoten in Norway, Europe getty
Norway followed very closely behind Denmark with a composite score of 77.9. The country has a GDP of $87.6K per capita and ranks as the 7th happiest country in the world. The Netherlands
The Netherlands was rated the 5th happiest country in the world and is coincidentally the 5th country where money can buy happiness, with a composite score of 78.3. It has a total GDP of over a trillion dollars, which comes out to about $63K per capita. Finland
Helsinki cityscape with Helsinki cathedral and Market square, Finland getty
Finland is the happiest country in the world and while it has the smallest GDP per capita (at $52.4K) it still boasts a very high quality of life and a lot of economic freedom. Australia
The first non-European country on the list, Australia ranks 7th with a composite score of 70.86. The country is just outside of the top ten in terms of the world's happiest countries, but still boasts a GDP per capita of $64.8K. United States
Image of the Manhattan skyline at sunset from an elevated angle. getty
Interestingly, the United States earned 8th place with a composite score of 69.9. The country had the highest GDP out of every country analyzed—at 26.8 trillion dollars—however, it ranked 24th on the list of the happiest countries in the world. Sweden
Back to Europe, Sweden ranked 9th on the list with a composite score of 69.59. The country also ranked as the 4th happiest country in the world. New Zealand
Auckland, New Zealand, Panorama view, Beautiful landcape of the building in Auckland city before sunset. View from Cyril Bassett VC Lookout. getty
New Zealand ranked in 10th place with a composite score of 69.4. The country ranked in 12th place—just after Australia—in the World Happiness Report—and boasts a GDP of $61K per capita, which is more than both Sweden and Finland.
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