Singapore and Thailand are among the world's happiest economies according to the 2025 Hanke’s Annual Misery Index, which analyzes 178 nations [1]. The index measures economic conditions based on factors including unemployment, inflation, bank lending rates, and real GDP growth to assess overall economic well-being [1].
Several Southeast Asian economies, such as Singapore and Thailand, have low inflation, steady employment levels, manageable borrowing costs, and consistent income growth. These conditions contribute to less economic strain on households compared to other regions [1].
Steve Hanke, applied economics professor and the creator of the Hanke Misery Index (HAMI), described the index as "a thermometer pressed against the body of the economy" to reflect its ability to gauge economic health in a straightforward way [1].
The 2025 edition continues the index's long-standing approach by combining key economic indicators to provide a comprehensive snapshot of economic misery—or happiness—across a diverse set of countries [1].
The next updates to the Hanke Misery Index will further track changes as global economies adjust to post-pandemic recovery and inflationary pressures.
