Drummers in colourful costume dance with joy
Members of the Falata community perform traditional dances at Al Zubir Stadium in El Fasher, North Darfur, as part of celebrations for United Nations Day.
Photo:UN Photo/Albert Gonzalez Farran

What is the International Day of Happiness?

It’s a day to be happy, of course! Since 2013, the United Nations has celebrated the International Day of Happiness as a way to recognise the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world.

Happiness is a fundamental human goal. The United Nations General Assembly recognizes this goal and calls for “a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes the happiness and well-being of all peoples.”

In 2015, the UN launched the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which seek to end poverty, reduce inequality, and protect our planet – three key aspects that lead to well-being and happiness. 

The United Nations invites each person of any age, plus every classroom, business and government to join in celebration of the International Day of Happiness.

World Happiness Report

Timorese in traditional dress take part in a ceremony. UN Photo/Martine Perret

The 10th annual edition of the World Happiness Report, released on 18 March 2022, reveals a bright light in dark times. The pandemic brought not only pain and suffering, but also an increase in social support and benevolence.

The 2023 World Happiness Report will be launched on Monday, March 20, 2023 12:00 PM EDT.

Register

 

Background

The General Assembly of the United Nations in its resolution 66/281 of 12 July 2012 proclaimed 20 March the International Day of Happiness, recognizing the relevance of happiness and well-being as universal goals and aspirations in the lives of human beings around the world and the importance of their recognition in public policy objectives. It also recognized the need for a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes sustainable development, poverty eradication, happiness and the well-being of all peoples.

The resolution was initiated by Bhutan, a country which recognized the value of national happiness over national income since the early 1970s and famously adopted the goal of Gross National Happiness over Gross National Product. It also hosted a High Level Meeting on "Happiness and Well-Being: Defining a New Economic Paradigm" during the sixty-sixth session of the General Assembly.

UN Photo album celebrates happiness

UN photographers capture people smiling, celebrating, playing, and laughing in this special collection for the International Day of Happiness.

Gaza children playing in a water park

What does happiness mean to you?

We spoke to visitors to UN Headquarters in New York from all over the world to find out what makes them happy.

school children

Begun in 2014 by UNESCO Bangkok, the Happy Schools Project offers an alternative approach to improving learning experiences by prioritizing school happiness. By focusing on well-being, engagement, and sense of belonging at school, the Happy Schools Project helps foster a lifelong love of learning. In 2022, a guide and toolkit were developed. The Happy Schools Project is going global with its advocacy for prioritizing well-being and happiness in schools, with renewed focus on bettering learning experiences. 

Children pose for a photo during a special event held to mark the United Nations Universal Children’s Day.

Resources

an abstract illustration of people engaged in an event

International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also mark other UN observances.