World Happiness Report 2025: How Declining Happiness and Trust Are Fueling Political Polarization in Europe and the U.S.
The 2025 edition of the World Happiness Report—a vital resource for policymakers, businesses, and civil society—was officially released on the 20th of march, shedding light on global well-being trends and the deeper forces shaping our societies. Among its most thought-provoking contributions is a chapter co-authored by HEC Paris Professor Yann Algan, alongside Claudia Senik and Corin Blanc (CEPREMAP), exploring the political consequences of declining happiness and trust in Europe and the United States.
Their findings are both timely and revealing. Drawing on new data and behavioral insights, the research shows that the erosion of life satisfaction and social trust plays a central role in the growing polarization of political landscapes on both sides of the Atlantic.
Key insights include:
A significant part of the rise in political polarization and support for anti-system parties can be traced back to declines in happiness and trust.
Personal well-being and trust levels influence political behavior more than traditional factors like ideology or socio-economic class.
Disillusioned individuals with low trust levels tend to lean toward far-right movements, while those who still hold strong social trust are more inclined toward the far-left.
By highlighting the emotional and social underpinnings of political shifts, this chapter challenges conventional wisdom and urges leaders to consider well-being as a cornerstone of democratic resilience and social cohesion.