How happy is the world in 2026? With Jan-Emmanuel De Neve

Our guest,  Professor Jan-Emmanuel De Neve shares with us the top findings from the recently released 2026 World Happiness Report. He is Professor of Economics and Behavioural Science at the University of Oxford and Director of the Wellbeing Research Centre. A leading voice in the science of happiness and wellbeing, Jan’s work brings data and empirical methods to questions once thought too subjective to measure. He has advised governments and international organisations on how to put wellbeing at the heart of public policy.

Jan-Emmanuel tells us about the global country rankings, with a focus on the marked difference in ratings between nations like Finland and Afghanistan. He explains that Finland consistently ranks as the happiest country, attributing this success to their strong social support system, trust in institutions, and a deep connection to nature. He talks about the decline in British happiness rankings, particularly among younger generations facing unprecedented challenges related to economic instability and social media usage.

Listen to our previous interview with Jan-Emmanuel’s colleague Richard Layard here where he explained why governments should centre wellbeing in their policies. 

In the We Society, join acclaimed journalist and Academy president Will Hutton, as he invites guests from the world of social science to explore the stories behind the news and hear their solutions to society’s most pressing problems.

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 The We Society podcast is brought to you by the Academy of Social Sciences in association with the Nuffield Foundation and the Leverhulme Trust. 

Producer: Emily Uchida Finch
Assistant Producer: Emily Gilbert
A Whistledown Production for the Academy of Social Sciences