The happiness of Kiwis aged 15 to 24 is lagging, according to new rankings released in the World Happiness Report.
The World Happiness Report 2026, published today by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, ranked happiness in New Zealand at 11 out of 147 countries – up from 12th place last year.
Nordic countries continued to lead the happiness rankings, with Finland taking the number one spot for the eighth year in a row. It was followed by Iceland, Denmark and Costa Rica – the highest ranking for a Latin American country after previously sitting at 23rd in 2023. Sweden and Norway rounded out the top six, followed by the Netherlands, Israel, Luxembourg, and Switzerland.
While comparatively high internationally, AUT associate professor Stephanie Rossouw said the continued decline among those aged 15 to 24 was extremely concerning.
"This is not a short-term dip, but a sustained decline over more than a decade. New Zealand and other comparable countries now rank among the worst in the world for changes in youth well-being."
When comparing changes to youth happiness, New Zealand was ranked 126 out of 136 countries.
The report suggested that higher levels of social media usage was linked to lower wellbeing, particularly when use was heavy and more passive, such as browsing or "doom scrolling" rather than active communication.
"We now have stronger international evidence showing how digital environments and social behaviours are shaping well-being outcomes," she said.
Rossouw said the findings "strengthen the case for stronger protections for young people online, including considering measures like pushing through a social media ban for under 16s, just like Australia has".
In December, the world-first ban led to more than a million young Australians being blocked from their social media accounts.
Gen Z – the first truly 'digital native' generation – had high levels of social media use, which was associated with higher stress and, in turn, lower life satisfaction, she said.
That was especially true for girls and for those in the UK and Ireland.
That was compounded by a decline in social connection, trust and engagement with others – all of which were critical to maintaining good mental health and life satisfaction.
"Why is it problematic that our young people’s happiness is declining? Because it points to a broader structural shift in how young people are living, connecting, and experiencing the world," Rossouw said.
"If these trends continue, they may have long-term implications not just for individual well-being, but for productivity, social cohesion, and the resilience of our communities."
The New Zealand Government was considering a social media ban for Kiwi rangatahi aged under 16.
World Happiness Rankings:
1. Finland
2. Iceland
3. Denmark
4. Costa Rica
5. Sweden
6. Norway
7. Netherlands
8. Israel
9. Luxembourg
10. Switzerland
11. New Zealand
12. Mexico
13. Ireland
14. Belgium
15. Australia
16. Kosovo
17. Germany
18. Slovenia
19. Austria
20. Czechia
21. United Arab Emirates
22. Saudi Arabia
23. United States
24. Poland
25. Canada
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