Indian Happiness Plummets: 7 in 10 Happy, But Sharp Decline From Last Year, Ipsos Survey Reveals

• Ipsos Global Happiness Survey 2026 shows 72% of Indians are happy, a 16 percentage-point drop from 88% last year.
• India ranks 22nd among 29 countries, indicating a significant slide in overall sentiment.
• Key happiness drivers like financial security, control, purpose, mental well-being, and social connections become sources of unhappiness when absent.
• Happiness in India is increasingly defined by access to these essential life aspects; lack of access leads to stress and dissatisfaction.
• Happiness levels have shown a 'yo-yo effect' over 15 years, influenced by external shocks and personal circumstances, with a notable dip during the pandemic.