Southeast Asian Countries Ranking in the Global Happiness Index 2026

Southeast Asian countries continue to show a wide range of results in the Global Happiness Index 2026, reflecting differences in living standards, social support, economic conditions, personal freedom, health, and perceptions of society and government.

The 2026 report ranks countries according to people’s self-assessed evaluations of their lives, using data from the Gallup World Poll. The report covers 147 countries and focuses particularly on wellbeing and the relationship between social connection, trust, and social media.

Among Southeast Asian countries, Singapore ranks highest, placing 36th globally with a score of 6.585. Its position makes it the only Southeast Asian country in the global top 40 and reflects the city-state’s relatively strong performance in areas associated with living conditions and social wellbeing.

Vietnam ranks second in Southeast Asia and 45th globally, with a score of 6.428. Vietnam’s position is particularly notable because it places the country among the world’s 50 highest-ranked countries. The country has also continued its upward trajectory in recent happiness rankings.

Thailand occupies third place regionally and 52nd worldwide, scoring 6.296. It is followed by the Philippines, which ranks 56th with 6.206. The relatively close scores between these countries demonstrate that several Southeast Asian nations remain competitive in the middle-to-upper portion of the global ranking.

Malaysia ranks fifth among Southeast Asian countries and 71st globally, recording a score of 6.005. Indonesia follows at 87th, with a score of 5.617. Although Indonesia is one of the region’s largest economies and most populous countries, its happiness score places it below several of its Southeast Asian neighbors.

Further down the ranking, Laos stands at 92nd globally, with a score of 5.515. Cambodia ranks 121st with 4.462, while Myanmar is last among the nine Southeast Asian countries listed, ranking 129th with 4.287.

The 2026 ranking therefore reveals a substantial gap within Southeast Asia. Singapore’s score of 6.585 is more than two points higher than Myanmar’s 4.287.

At the same time, the results demonstrate that economic development alone does not determine happiness. The World Happiness Report emphasizes people’s own assessments of their lives and examines broader factors influencing wellbeing.

Overall, Singapore leads Southeast Asia, followed by Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. The rankings provide an interesting snapshot of wellbeing across the region and highlight the importance of social and economic conditions alongside economic growth.