International Day of Happiness & World Happiness Report 2026

Each year around International Day of Happiness (20th March), the World Happiness Report is released. It’s one of those things I always find myself drawn to — partly out of curiosity, but also because it often puts into words things we see every day in our work.

This year’s report really stayed with me.

Not because it was surprising, but because it confirmed something we already know: Happiness comes from connection.

The UK is currently ranked 29th in the latest rankings. And I don’t know… that feels quite telling.

Not awful, but not exactly thriving either.

It kind of reflects what a lot of people seem to be feeling — busy, stretched, and sometimes a bit disconnected.

It’s often the simple things

When you strip it all back, the report shows that what really matters for our wellbeing isn’t just money or success.

It’s things like:

• having people around us

• feeling supported

• trusting others

• feeling like we belong somewhere

  
  

And when I read that, I couldn’t help but think about our sessions.

The chats before we start. People arriving a bit unsure, then slowly relaxing. Those little moments where people realise they’re not alone.

It’s those things, isn’t it?

Something that felt quite heavy

One of the findings that really stood out this year is that young people are less happy than they were 15 years ago. and we know this is something that’s being felt particularly strongly by girls.

That feels big. And honestly, a bit sad.

We see glimpses of that in conversations — the pressure people are under, the sense of overwhelm, the feeling of being disconnected.

It just reinforces how important it is that there are spaces where people can just be, without expectations.

It’s not as simple as “social media is bad”

The report also talks a lot about social media, especially for younger people.

But what I liked is that it’s not black and white.

It’s not just about how much we use it — it’s about how it makes us feel.

Does it connect us? Or does it leave us comparing, scrolling, and feeling a bit flat?

And again, it brings me back to something really simple: there’s nothing quite like real-life connection

What gives me hope

What I actually found really comforting in the report is this:

The things that improve our wellbeing aren’t complicated.

They’re small, everyday things:

• kindness

• shared moments

• feeling seen

• being part of something

  
  

And we see that all the time.

A group walk, a shared activity, a conversation that goes a bit deeper than expected.

A little reminder (for all of us)

I think that’s why I like International Day of Happiness.

Not because it’s a big, grand idea, but because it reminds us that happiness isn’t something far away.

It’s something we build, together, in small ways.

At Strengthening Wellbeing Together, that’s what we try to create - spaces where people can connect, feel comfortable, and just be themselves.

And this report just gently confirms: those things really matter.

Keep your eyes peeled - We’ll be launching a self-compassion and wellbeing programme for girls very soon...!