In a surprising yet heartening development, Gallup, the world’s most trusted survey and polling organization, has released its Happiness Index 2025 — and Pakistan has proudly secured the 8th spot among the world’s happiest nations.

According to the latest public survey, 72% of Pakistanis expressed satisfaction with their lives despite facing ongoing economic challenges and social issues. This overwhelming sense of optimism highlights the resilience and positive spirit of the Pakistani people.

Meanwhile, the findings have not been as cheerful for India. Despite boasting about being the world's largest democracy and claiming remarkable economic growth, India has landed at the bottom of the list. Only 31% of Indians reported feeling happy, while 34% openly admitted to being dissatisfied with their lives. The numbers hint at growing public discontent and rising stress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.

On a global scale, China topped the list of happiest nations, with 86% of its citizens expressing contentment.

It's worth noting that an earlier Oxford University report had also painted a similar picture. In a survey covering 147 countries, Pakistan ranked 109th, while India stood even lower at 118th — reinforcing the findings of Gallup's latest study.

The Happiness Index is calculated by considering several factors, including social support, economic well-being, community engagement, and overall life satisfaction. These rankings offer deep insight into how societies thrive not just economically, but emotionally and socially as well.