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The Happy Planet Index (HPI) is the world’s leading measure of sustainable wellbeing. It is calculated from three components: average life expectancy, self-reported wellbeing, and ecological footprint. The latest edition, released today by the Hot or Cool Institute, reveals that, while no country has yet achieved a fully sustainable “Good Life,” some nations and individuals are showing that high wellbeing doesn’t have to cost the Earth.
The 2026 report covers 134 countries and for the first time includes groundbreaking gender analysis.
Costa Rica has returned to the #1 spot, successfully combining a life expectancy higher than the USA with the third-highest self-reported wellbeing globally, all while maintaining a moderate Ecological Footprint.
