This European Country Has Been Ranked the Second Most Miserable Country in the World
A new global well-being index has produced an unexpected result: the United Kingdom ranks as the second most miserable country among 71 surveyed nations. Most countries at the bottom of such lists struggle with conflict or severe economic instability; yet, the UK stands apart from this pattern. The report tracks stress, financial strain, emotional health, and how people function on a day-to-day basis, and the findings suggest long-term pressures that have been building across the population. Understanding how a high-income country can land so low helps explain shifts in daily life, generational habits, and the economic challenges that shape people’s sense of security.
How The UK Ended Up Near The Bottom
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Sapien Labs’ Mental State of the World Report assigned each participating nation a Mental Health Quotient score between -100 and 200. A global average of 65 marked the midpoint. Britain ranked 49th, placing it at 70th out of 71.
Scores below zero reflect severe distress. Any country between zero and fifty points is in a consistent struggle. Around 35 percent of British respondents placed themselves in that range. Brazil and South Africa occupied nearby positions in the ranking.
Countries facing severe unrest ranked above the UK. Yemen reached 59 despite ongoing humanitarian challenges. Ukraine scored 60 while facing armed conflict. Such contrasts revealed that economic stability does not guarantee emotional well-being.
Pressures Reshaping Daily Life
Outside commentary surrounding the findings often points to the broader climate people are navigating.
Recent years have brought steep living expenses, rising bills, and ongoing concerns about affordability, with many households feeling stretched by the day-to-day costs of maintaining a basic standard of living. These conditions contribute to the public discussion about why many residents feel run-down or overwhelmed.
Social factors also enter the picture. Patterns observed across several higher-income countries include weaker personal ties, diminished support networks, earlier exposure to smartphones, and diets that heavily rely on ultra-processed meals.
These trends were identified in the wider Global Mind Project data as influences that shape how people function and how connected they feel, and they appeared most prominently in affluent nations with fast-paced routines.
Pandemic disruptions also left a lasting mark. Mental well-being levels dropped sharply in 2020 and then flatlined. Data from 2021 through 2023 showed almost no recovery. Younger adults experienced the steepest decline, with many entering the workforce during recession-like conditions or navigating disrupted education systems. Social habits changed during that period and continued long after lockdowns ended.
How The UK Compares In Other Rankings
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The World Happiness Report for 2025 reinforced the rankings of misery and placed the UK at 23, down several spots from previous years. Just five years ago, the country ranked 13. Rankings consider GDP per capita, social support, life expectancy, perceived freedom, generosity, and trust in institutions.
Several developed nations showed similar declines. The United States followed the UK at 24. Wealth did not shield populations from frustration over rising costs, political distrust, or weaker community connections.
A Turning Point Or A Warning?
Ongoing debate around the UK’s placement reflects concerns across multiple sectors. Economists point to inflation and wage stagnation. Health professionals highlight long treatment wait times. Younger people cite strained housing access and declining trust in political leadership.
Daily pressures have built up across several areas at once. The ranking captures the disconnect between the country’s economic status and the emotional experience of its residents.