Philippines is the fourth happiest country in Southeast Asia, 56th worldwide—study
The Philippines emerged as the fourth happiest country in Southeast Asia and 56th worldwide, according to the 2026 World Happiness Report.
In the study published by the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Center, respondents were asked to rate their life on a 0-10 scale, from the worst possible life (0) to the best possible life (10).
The Philippines had a score of 6.206 in terms of life evaluation, placing it fourth among Southeast Asian countries and 56th out of 147 countries. This is one spot higher than its 57th ranking in 2025.
The study also assessed six factors, namely, social support, GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and perceptions of corruption.
The Philippines has the highest score in terms of freedom, ranking at 13th place, while its lowest was perceptions of corruption, having placed at the 96th spot.
Singapore landed in first place among other Southeast Asian countries and 36th overall, followed by Vietnam (45th) and Thailand (52nd). After the Philippines are Malaysia (71st), Indonesia (87th), Laos (92nd), Cambodia (121st), and Myanmar (129th).
Overall, Finland was ranked as the happiest country worldwide after achieving a life evaluation score of 7.764. It was followed by Iceland, Denmark, Costa Rica, Sweden, Norway, Neatherlands, Israel, Luxembourg, and Switzerland.
The World Happiness Report is published by the Wellbeing Research Center at the University of Oxford, in partnership with Gallup, the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and an independent editorial board.
Countries are ranked based on Gallup World Poll data, which has surveyed more than 100,000 people in 140 countries and territories.
