Latest news with #WorldHappinessReport2025
Arab Times
07-07-2025
- General
- Arab Times
Kuwait Ranked 30th Happiest Country in the World, 2nd in Gulf
KUWAIT CITY, July 7: Kuwait has secured a prominent position in the World Happiness Report 2025, published by the Centre for Well-being at Oxford University in collaboration with Gallup and the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network. The country ranked 30th globally and second in the Gulf region, reflecting a strong sense of well-being among its residents. The report, which draws on individuals' self-assessments of their lives using data averaged from 2022 through 2024, highlights Kuwait's progress in several key areas, including social cohesion, charitable giving, and public trust. In the Cantril Ladder—a key metric measuring life satisfaction—Kuwait claimed the 30th spot globally. The country also performed well in sub-indicators, ranking 33rd in the Global Donation Index, 46th in volunteering, and 27th in helping strangers. Regionally, the United Arab Emirates led the Gulf, ranking 21st worldwide in overall happiness, and placed 16th in donations and 19th in volunteer work. Saudi Arabia followed Kuwait, coming in 32nd globally, but trailed in civic engagement metrics, placing 48th in donations and 92nd in volunteerism. Across the wider Arab world, happiness rankings varied significantly. Libya placed 74th, Algeria 83rd, Jordan 92nd, Iraq 93rd, Lebanon 99th, Palestine 101st, Egypt 110th, Morocco 111th, Sudan 117th, Tunisia 119th, Djibouti 120th, and Mauritania 122nd. The report underlined the pivotal role of trust, generosity, and community care in fostering human well-being. It noted that interpersonal trust—particularly among strangers—had a more profound impact on happiness than either financial giving or volunteering. Kuwait's standing in the 2025 report reflects its effective balance of economic stability, quality of life, and civic engagement, positioning it as a regional leader and a model for cultivating a compassionate and resilient society.
Forbes
15-05-2025
- Forbes
Capella Taipei Is Taiwan's Hottest New Luxury Stay — Here's Why
View of the Taipei 101 tower from the Deluxe Skyline Suite. Taipei, home to 2.6 million people, is one of the most scintillating metropoles in Asia. A mix of Chinese influence, Japanese heritage and indigenous tradition, it's not only fun but also highly functional, earning it 'the happiest place' in Asia, according to the World Happiness Report 2025. From bustling markets and urban parks to some of Asia's best shopping and eats, it's worth more than just a stopover. And now, with the opening of Capella Taipei in April 2025, travelers have a compelling new reason to extend their stay. Plume, the hotel's all-day lobby lounge. A "modern mansion" that sits at the heart of Taipei, it was designed by acclaimed superstar architect Andrè Fu, the Hong Kong based studio behind many impressive projects in cities like Bangkok, London and Tokyo. An urban sanctuary with Eastern flair paired with a contemporary European atmosphere, it invites you to slow down and reset amidst the big city bustle. The atmosphere is welcoming and serene, with soft neutral hues, modern curves and bright, airy spaces adorned with evocative works of art. The hotel boasts 86 rooms, including 6 pool suites, featuring bright interiors with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Taipei's impressive skyline. Starting at 46m², they offer comfortable luxury with thoughtful amenities, while suites have generously sized 106m2 open-air layouts with separate living and dining areas and standalone bathtubs. Deluxe Suite A large rooftop swimming pool on the 10th floor is the perfect place to unwind surrounded by manicured hedges and vibrant bougainvillea — the property brings the outside in with potted trees and shrubs adding texture to the urban oasis. Numerous artists were tapped to create art pieces on display throughout the hotel. Elsa Rameau, a French Hong Kong-based artist, created a beautiful modern collage panels featuring vibrant blue magpies, Taiwan's national bird, on view at Plume, the hotel's all-day lobby lounge. A spiral staircase is an arresting feature that creates a sense of movement and flow, accompanied by a vertical sculpture by Joel Escalona, a Mexican artist, that complements the design. The entrance of the hotel. The property has five dining venues: Plume, which sits at the heart of the hotel, serves artisanal coffee and an à la carte breakfast in the mornings, lunch or tea in the afternoons, and transforms into a cozy cocktail bar in the evening. Heartier meals are served at Rong Ju, a Cantonese restaurant that focuses on elevated dim sum and regional specialties and Mizue, a Japanese restaurant designed to resemble a Ryokan. Rong Ju, the hotel's Cantonese restaurant. Ember 28, named for the symbolic importance of fire in Taiwanese culture, is Capella Taipei's international grill serving neo-classic cuisine alongside innovative cocktails. And Atelier Plume, a delightful pastry shop that will transport you to Paris with decadent French pastries. Capella hotels are one of the best when it comes to wellness programming, designing thoughtful experiences that are at once innovative and grounding. You can enjoy customized spa treatments aligned with the cycles of the moon, invigorating massages or relaxing in a floatation pod or Hinoki bathtub. The spa's design, with barrel-vaulted ceilings and gentle, flowing curves, is guaranteed to transport you to a different realm of relaxation. Left: the spiral staircase. Right: the spa. Capella Taipei is nestled in the city's vibrant Songshan district, a leafy neighborhood with historic temples and modern galleries and a residential feel. As with other Capella properties, you can join on-and-off site activities through "Capella Curates", a selection of unique experiences designed to give you a sense of place. The Songshan city walk, often escorted by the hotel's General Manager, Dennis Laubenstein, gives a great sense of the neighborhood and includes stops to visit hip boutiques, cafes and local businesses that give Taipei its signature creative energy. If you have time for a daytrip, don't miss the tea trails experience that takes you to the Pinglin District where you can learn about Taiwan's celebrated oolong tea cultivation and processing methods while enjoying sweeping mountain views. Learn more about Capella Tapiei on its website.
NDTV
09-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Why Eating With Others Could Be The Key To Your Happiness, Science Says
We all know that good food equals happiness, right? When you've been craving a certain dish for days and finally get to taste it, that first bite is pure joy. But here's something interesting: did you know that the way we eat, whether alone or with others, can change how we feel overall? It is true, according to the World Happiness Report 2025. Every year, this report ranks countries by how happy and healthy their people are. Finland has once again topped the list, ranking as the happiest country for the seventh consecutive year. Meanwhile, India ranks 118th, showing there's still some work to do. The rankings consider factors like social support, health, freedom, generosity, perception of corruption, and GDP. This year, the report also explored how sharing meals can affect happiness. The findings were clear: people in countries where eating together is common consistently report feeling happier, no matter their age, gender, or culture. How Sharing Meals Boosts Happiness And Reduces Stress: 1. Strengthens Personal Connections Eating together is one of the best ways to build meaningful connections. Whether you are chatting about the food or sharing stories, meals provide a relaxed atmosphere to bond. It is an easy way to connect with others. 2. Fosters A Sense Of Community The World Happiness Report 2025 found that communal dining is linked to stronger social support, more acts of kindness, and fewer feelings of isolation. Countries where people share meals tend to feel more united. 3. Reduces Stress And Loneliness Eating alone can sometimes leave you feeling disconnected. But when you share meals with friends, family, or colleagues, it brings comfort and a sense of belonging. It can also help reduce stress, loneliness, and sadness. 4. An Act Of Love And Care When you share food with someone, whether at home, at work, or in a restaurant, you show care. It promotes unity, support, and kindness, making everyone feel a little more connected. 4 Easy Ways to Share Meals in Daily Life 1. Make Time for Family Meals Try to set aside at least one meal a day to eat together without any distractions. If the day is busy, make dinner a time to catch up with each other. 2. Host Potlucks Or Community Dinners It's not just about your immediate family. Make plans to share meals with friends, neighbours, or extended family. Weekend potlucks or casual dinner parties are a fun way to connect. 3. Catch Up With Friends Over Food Sharing meals is a great way to strengthen friendships. Meet up for a coffee date or lunch with old friends to stay connected and keep the bond strong. 4. Practice Meal Sharing At Work Since we spend so much time at work, eating with colleagues can improve job satisfaction and make you feel more connected to your workplace. If you're used to eating alone and feel that sharing meals could make you happier, give these tips a try. As the World Happiness Report 2025 shows us, sometimes, the happiest moments happen around the table.
Time Out
07-05-2025
- General
- Time Out
Can you guess? These two Asian cities are officially among the happiest in the world
Happiness is one of the hardest things in the world to quantify, but that's not stopping the folks behind the Happy City Index. Every year, they evaluate and rank global cities on themes like governance, environment, economy, and health to determine which have the policies – and are actually taking action – to improve citizens' quality of life and happiness. In 2025, Singapore emerged as the happiest city in Asia, ranking third on the global list. The report lauds it as "a global beacon of economic prosperity, governance, and urban innovation", highlighting Singapore's world-renowned universities, high levels of voter turnout, and its commitment to smart urban development. There's a lot else going for the city, like its fantastic public health system, efficient public transport infrastructure, not to mention charming parks in every neighbourhood and an ever-evolving roster of things to do. Seoul is the only other Asian city on the Gold Cities list, ranking No. 6. Like Singapore, it excels in education, innovation, and governance. But where it really stands out is in sustainability, which the report states is "deeply integrated into Seoul's urban framework" via renewable energy solutions, strong biodiversity protection, efficient waste management, high recycling rates, and low pollution. Anyone who's been to Seoul will also know it's remarkably green, with sprawling parks like Namsan Park and Banpo Hangang Park. What's notable is the number of Taiwanese cities that appear on the Happy City Index. Three of its cities made it to the Silver Cities list, while five are in the Bronze Cities list – which tracks with the World Happiness Report 2025, which named Taiwan the happiest country in the world. It's matched by China, which also totals eight cities on the Happy City Index, led by its capital, Beijing, at No. 54. Besides Singapore, Southeast Asia is represented by Kuala Lumpur (No. 167) and Petaling Jaya (No. 183) in Malaysia, as well as a handful of cities in the Philippines, like Quezon City (No. 169), Cebu City (No. 174), and Makati City (No. 193). Curious about how the rest of the world fared? Check out the full Happy City Index 2025 here. Here's how cities in Asia ranked on the 2025 Happy City Index Gold "Happiest" Cities in Asia (1-31): 3. Singapore (979 points) 6. Seoul, South Korea (942 points) Silver Cities in Asia (32-100) 42. Tokyo, Japan (814 points) 54. Beijing, China (784 points) 55. Busan, South Korea (782 points) 59. Ulsan, South Korea (776 points) 72. Incheon, South Korea (756 points) 75. Hsinchu, Taiwan (754 points) 87. Changhua, Taiwan (773 points) 91. Kaohsiung, Taiwan (725 points) Bronze cities in Asia (101-200) 110. Wuhan, China (700 points) 113. Taichung, Taiwan (698 points) 115. Taoyuan, Taiwan (695 points) 128. Shanghai, China (677 points) 129. Osaka, Japan (675 points) 134. Tainan, Taiwan (669 points) 136. Dalian, China (658 points) 137. Jinan, China (654 points) 153. Sapporo, Japan (620 points) 155. Suzhou, China (618 points) 164. Kobe, Japan (606 points) 167. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (602 points) 168. Chengdu, China (601 points) 169. Quezon City, Philippines (598 points) 172. Chiayi, Taiwan (591 points) 172. Keelung, Taiwan (591 points) 174. Cebu City, Philippines (586 points) 183. Petaling Jaya, Malaysia (573 points) 190. Kunming, China (562 points) 193. Makati City, Philippines (556 points)
Fashion Value Chain
05-05-2025
- Health
- Fashion Value Chain
Nordic Happiness Summit 2025 Explores Joy Through Unity
The first-ever Nordic Happiness Summit (NHS) took place in Helsinki from March 24–25, 2025, bringing together students, academics, artists, policymakers, and businesses to explore the theme of 'Togetherness.' Organized by students from Hanken Business Lab and the Center for Wellbeing, Welfare, and Happiness at the Stockholm School of Economics, this pioneering event aims to reimagine happiness from a Nordic perspective. The summit was conceived in the basement of Hanken School of Economics by Markus Wartiovaara, who recognized a gap despite the Nordic countries' consistent top rankings in the World Happiness Report. NHS was born from this vision—to create a space dedicated to exploring why Nordic countries rank so highly in happiness and how those values translate into practice. By integrating perspectives from academia, business, culture, and policy, the summit addressed key issues such as workplace burnout, societal stress, and emotional resilience. The focus was not just on dialogue but also on solutions for a more connected, fulfilled society. A Unique Student-Led Platform NHS 2025 stood out as a fully student-driven initiative. From concept to execution, students were deeply involved. Markus Wartiovaara emphasized that NHS reflects the best of higher education—learning beyond classrooms through real-world collaboration and shared experiences. Project leaders Onni Larri and Anton Mattsson highlighted how the World Happiness Report 2025 inspired discussions on empowerment and wellbeing. Larri noted the summit's goal was to go beyond superficial joy and explore deeper, lasting happiness. Mattsson emphasized how the Nordic education system cultivates empowerment through critical thinking and curiosity—fundamentals that support both personal fulfillment and societal resilience. Looking Ahead Following the success of the 2025 summit, NHS is set to become an annual event, rotating between Helsinki and Stockholm. The next edition will be hosted in Stockholm in 2026. Micael Dahlen, a key organizer from the Stockholm School of Economics, called the 2025 edition a 'mjukstart'—a soft, safe space to try, fall, and grow together. As NHS takes root, it promises to foster ongoing dialogue and practical action around happiness in the Nordic region and beyond. Key Themes from NHS 2025: National Trends: Reflections on the World Happiness Report 2025 Workplace Wellbeing: Strategies for better organizational culture Personal Resilience: Tools for mental health and self-care Educational Impact: How universities foster happiness through learning and research For updates on NHS 2026, visit
