On October 20th, the Prime Minister presented a summary report on the implementation of the 2025 Socio-Economic Development Plan and the 5-year plan from 2021 to 2025, along with the projected 2026 Socio-Economic Development Plan.
The report highlights eight significant achievements in the execution of the 2025 Socio-Economic Development Plan and the 2021-2025 five-year plan. Notably, Vietnam’s economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience against external shocks, maintaining one of the highest growth rates globally. The country’s economic scale expanded from USD 346 billion in 2020 to USD 510 billion in 2025, climbing five positions to rank 32nd worldwide. Vietnam’s per capita GDP in 2025 is estimated at approximately USD 5,000, 1.4 times higher than in 2020, placing it in the upper-middle-income category.
A standout feature of this report is the inclusion of the happiness index. According to the United Nations, Vietnam’s happiness index in 2025 ranks 46th, a significant leap of 37 places from its 83rd position in 2020.
The 2025 World Happiness Report places Vietnam at 46th, a notable improvement from its 54th rank in 2024 and 65th in 2023, second only to Singapore in Southeast Asia. This marks Vietnam’s highest ranking since the report’s inception in 2012.
Vietnam is among 19 countries that saw an increase in their happiness index in 2025, including the Philippines, China, and Mongolia in Asia, 12 countries in Central and Eastern Europe, two in Africa, and Nicaragua in Latin America.
In Asia, Singapore stands out at 34th. Countries in the region ranking below Vietnam include Thailand (49), Japan (55), the Philippines (57), South Korea (58), Malaysia (64), China (68), Indonesia (83), Laos (93), India (118), and Cambodia (124).
Finland tops the list as the world’s happiest country for the eighth consecutive year, with its vast lakes and robust welfare system significantly enhancing the well-being of its citizens.
The top 10 happiest countries in 2025 also include Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Costa Rica, Norway, Israel, Luxembourg, and Mexico.
How is the Happiness Index Measured?
Illustrative image: TTXVN
The happiness ranking is based on data from the Gallup World Poll, surveying residents of over 140 countries. Nations are ranked according to the average life evaluations of their citizens over the previous three years (2022-2024).
Participants rate their overall life satisfaction and provide evaluations, which are then analyzed based on six key variables: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and perceptions of corruption.
In the report presented at the opening session of the 10th National Assembly, 15th Legislature, the Prime Minister noted that prestigious international organizations have praised Vietnam’s leadership and management, upgrading its credit rating and growth outlook. Notably, the IMF ranks Vietnam among the top 10 fastest-growing economies globally, while Standard Chartered forecasts Vietnam as one of the five fastest-growing economies in Asia.
Outlining the 2026 Socio-Economic Development Plan, the Prime Minister aims for a GDP growth rate of 10% or higher, with per capita GDP reaching USD 5,400-5,500, an average CPI increase of around 4.5%, and ten key tasks and solutions.
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