Countries by Happiness Inequality

What Happiness Gap (Top 20% vs Bottom 20%) Measures

Happiness Gap (Top 20% vs Bottom 20%) is a comparative indicator tracked across countries by the OECD. It provides a quantitative basis for cross-national comparison, enabling researchers and policymakers to benchmark national performance on this dimension against global peers.

Why This Ranking Matters

Examining Happiness Gap (Top 20% vs Bottom 20%) across all countries reveals patterns that might not be obvious at the national level. Regional clusters, outlier nations, and historical trajectories all become clearer when the full global picture is assembled in a single ranking.

Global Range

Values range from 1.63 (Finland) to 3.89 (Japan) — a 2-fold difference across 34 countries.

Regional Patterns

European countries dominate this ranking, holding 17 of the top 20 positions. This strong regional concentration suggests shared economic, geographic, or policy factors that drive higher values across the continent.

Values are broadly distributed across countries, with the middle 50% ranging from 1.83 to 2.23. The overall spread from 1.63 to 3.89 reflects significant global variation.

Notable Outliers

Japan holds a significant lead over Greece, with a 49% gap between first and second place. While several countries cluster near the top, the leader's margin is notable.

Continental Leaders

Asia

Japan

3.89

Europe

Greece

2.61

North America

Canada

2.38

Oceania

New Zealand

2.00