Sri Lanka has been ranked 134th out of 147 countries in the World Happiness Report 2026, with a score of 4.0, marking a decline from its previous position of 133rd in 2025. 

The country now shares the bottom tier with Ethiopia and remains behind regional neighbours such as India (ranked 116th), Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

The report, released on March 18, highlights ongoing social and economic challenges that hinder improvements in public satisfaction and quality of life. 

A significant focus this year is the impact of social media on well-being, especially among young people.

The study indicates that excessive social media usage is contributing to declining life satisfaction in many nations, prompting calls for regulatory measures.

Finland continues to hold the title as the happiest country for the ninth consecutive year, with Iceland and Denmark close behind. Costa Rica made a notable leap to fourth place, marking its highest-ever ranking among Latin American countries. 

The report also notes a decline in life satisfaction among youth in countries like the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, largely due to increased social media use, while other regions report more optimistic outlooks among young populations.