The International Day of Happiness falls on 20 March, which is also close to the March equinox.
It lands on 20 March.
How to use the International Day of Happiness Countdown#
- Open the page. The international day of happiness countdown starts as soon as the page loads and follows the clock on your device.
- Pick which one. Stay on the next International Day of Happiness, or look a year further ahead.
- Read the date. The International Day of Happiness is on 20 March every year. The weekday is listed under the big number.
A day set by the UN#
The General Assembly proclaimed the day in 2012, in a resolution led by Bhutan, the country known for measuring Gross National Happiness instead of only economic output. It was first observed in 2013. The resolution recognised happiness and well-being as universal goals and aims for policies that support them.
What to do with it#
It doesn’t need a big plan. Check in on someone you haven’t spoken to in a while, do something kind and unexpected, or take an hour for something you enjoy. Schools and workplaces often run small events, like gratitude walls or a shared meal. If your team is organising one, send the invitation about two weeks ahead.
When is the International Day of Happiness in the next few years?#
The International Day of Happiness is on 20 March every year.
| Year | Date | Day of the week |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 20 March | Saturday |
| 2028 | 20 March | Monday |
| 2029 | 20 March | Tuesday |
| 2030 | 20 March | Wednesday |
| 2031 | 20 March | Thursday |
What the research says#
The World Happiness Report, published each year around 20 March, ranks countries using surveys in which people rate their lives on a ladder from 0 to 10. The factors that explain the differences include income per head, healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom to make life choices, generosity and trust. Finland has topped the ranking for several years running.
Individual studies tell a similar story. Time with friends, sleep, exercise and a sense of purpose matter more over time than an extra bit of income, once basic needs are met.
Small things with a good track record#
Three habits have a decent evidence base. Writing down a few things you are thankful for, once or twice a week rather than every day, tends to lift mood. Doing a kind thing for someone else lifts the giver as well as the receiver. Spending time outside, even a short walk, helps with stress.
None of this replaces care for people who are ill. If low mood is lasting more than a couple of weeks, talk to a doctor or a counsellor.
An easy team or classroom event#
Work back from Sat 20 March 2027, which falls on a Saturday in 2027:
| When | What to do | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2 weeks out | Invite people and choose a simple activity | Sat 6 March 2027 |
| 1 week out | Set up a gratitude wall or a sign-up sheet | Sat 13 March 2027 |
| On the day | Shared lunch, short walk or thank-you notes | Sat 20 March 2027 |
Keep it light. A thank-you card to a colleague takes five minutes and does more than a poster.
Facts and a few cautions#
- The UN resolution that created the day says the pursuit of happiness is a fundamental human goal. It was proposed by Bhutan, which famously tracks Gross National Happiness.
- The date, 20 March, is close to the March equinox, when day and night are about equal everywhere on Earth.
- Happiness surveys ask people to rate their own lives, so the results measure how people feel, not just how rich their country is.
- Cultures differ in how they describe happiness, so scores from different countries should be read with a little humility.
Be careful with the idea that people can simply decide to be happy. Low mood is common, and it is not a personal failing. If a friend seems down, a message saying you have noticed is worth more than advice. The day shares its season with World Water Day, two days later, and with International Women’s Day a few weeks earlier.
Frequently asked questions#
20 March.
The UN General Assembly adopted it in 2012, following a proposal from Bhutan.
No.
The UN General Assembly proclaimed it in a resolution adopted in 2012, introduced by Bhutan. It was first observed on 20 March 2013. The resolution recognised the pursuit of happiness as a basic human goal, and invited governments to think about policies that support wellbeing as well as growth.
The day is organised each year with a campaign slogan, often built around kindness, community or caring for each other, and some groups promote a yellow colour, but there is no official UN colour. The idea is to keep it open, so a school, a workplace or a family can mark it in whatever way suits them, from a shared meal to a day of thank-you notes.