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World Happiness Report 2026: New Data on Global Wellbeing

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The World Happiness Report 2026 has been published by the University of Oxford's Wellbeing Research Centre, marking another annual assessment of global wellbeing metrics. Led by editors John F. Helliwell, Richard Layard, Jeffrey D. Sachs, Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, Lara B. Aknin, and Shun Wang, the report continues a tradition of measuring happiness across nations using Gallup World Poll data. The 2026 edition includes comprehensive appendices covering statistical methodology, data analysis, and regional findings.

This year's report features multiple detailed appendices spanning chapters on statistical methods, regional analyses, and specific findings. The editors have made data from the Gallup World Poll accessible through a dedicated data-sharing page, allowing researchers and the public to examine the underlying metrics. The report's structure includes specialized appendices for chapters 2 through 9, providing transparency in methodology and supporting data for the main findings.

As global wellbeing concerns continue to evolve, the World Happiness Report serves as a crucial benchmark for policymakers and researchers. The University of Oxford's continued sponsorship through its Wellbeing Research Centre underscores the growing academic and policy interest in measuring and improving quality of life worldwide. The 2026 edition builds on previous years' work while incorporating new data and analytical approaches.