Researchers from the Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technologies at the University of Barcelona have identified where the happiest communities in the world reside. The findings reveal that in terms of self-reported life satisfaction, many indigenous groups exceed even the leaders in global happiness rankings, with notable scores surpassing those of nations often cited for high wellbeing. The study presents a fresh look at how happiness is perceived across diverse cultural contexts, focusing on slower-paced lifestyles and values that emphasize community and daily meaning.
In the survey, nearly 3,000 individuals from 19 distinct communities across the Americas, Africa, and beyond were interviewed. The results show that many indigenous groups report levels of happiness comparable to, and in some cases higher than, populations in economically strong countries. The overall happiness rating among participants averaged 6.8 on a ten-point scale, suggesting a broad sense of well-being that emerges from social ties, purpose, and environmental harmony rather than material abundance alone.
To offer a point of comparison, Finland frequently appears near the top of global happiness rankings, with a typical score around 7.9 and Denmark following close behind at approximately 7.6. The findings from this cross-cultural survey highlight that high life satisfaction is not exclusive to wealthy nations and can flourish in communities that maintain traditional ways of life alongside modern influences.
Specific communities stood out for reporting especially high happiness levels. The Colla Atacameña community in Argentina, for example, reached a notable score of eight. The Pai Tavitra community in Paraguay registered around 8.2, while the Riberiño people in Brazil reported about 8.4. In Guatemala, farming communities in highland regions achieved scores near 8.6, illustrating that contentment can be rooted in daily work, strong family networks, and a close relationship with the land.
Across these groups, investigations noted that the majority maintain modest livelihoods by Western standards. Typical annual incomes are well below a typical Western threshold, reinforcing the idea that happiness in these communities often correlates with social cohesion, cultural continuity, and meaningful daily activities rather than financial wealth alone.
Experts emphasize that evaluating happiness with strangers is possible and can reveal consistent patterns. The research adds to a growing body of work showing that subjective well-being reflects cultural norms, personal connections, and environments that support autonomy, belonging, and purpose. In short, happiness emerges from the fabric of daily life and the values that sustain it, not only from monetary metrics or external indicators of success.