World’s least happy countries in 2026: India at 116 out of 147

India stands at 116 out of 147 countries in happiness index.

According to the World Happiness Report 2026, nations experiencing economic hardship and violence continue to rank lowest in terms of global well-being. Afghanistan is still the world's least happy nation. With a score of 1.446, it is placed 147th out of 147 nations. People's ratings of their lives reflect how difficult daily life has become due to years of conflict and economic instability.

Just behind Afghanistan, several African countries fill the bottom of the list. Sierra Leone is ranked 146, Malawi 145 and Zimbabwe 144, with Botswana at 143. Life in these countries is often shaped by limited access to healthcare, fewer job opportunities and the constant strain of managing basic needs.

In West Asia, Yemen is ranked 142 and Lebanon 141. Both have been going through difficult periods, but in different ways. In Yemen, ongoing conflict has left many people dependent on aid just to get through the day. In Lebanon, the financial crisis hit savings and incomes, making everyday expenses much harder to handle.

Further down, the Democratic Republic of Congo is ranked 140, Egypt 139 and Tanzania 138. In many of these places, people are dealing with unreliable services, fewer opportunities and rising costs that stretch household budgets.

India comes in at 116. That places it above the lowest-ranked countries, but still shows that many people continue to deal with financial pressure and uneven access to basic services.

Among neighbouring countries, Nepal is ranked 99, Pakistan 104 and Sri Lanka 134. Bangladesh stands at 127. Even within the same region, people’s day-to-day experiences can feel quite different depending on the country they live in.

What the report really points to is something simple. When life feels uncertain or difficult, it tends to reflect in how people see their own well-being. And improving that usually takes time, especially in countries dealing with long-term challenges.