Feline good: Countries with more cats are happier

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, October 7, 2026

A study of 93 countries found that higher numbers of cats per capita are associated with increased national happiness levels, alongside factors like wealth and healthcare spending. This suggests that pet ownership may contribute to well-being, although the relationship is complex and influenced by broader social and economic conditions.

A recent study examining 93 countries has found a positive correlation between the number of cats per capita and national happiness levels. Researchers analyzed data on feline populations alongside measures of happiness, wealth, and healthcare expenditure, revealing that countries with more cats relative to their populations also tend to report higher happiness scores.

The study, conducted by teams at the University of Turku and the University of Chicago and published in PLOS One, showed that while wealthier countries generally ranked higher in happiness, the presence of cats also had a notable association with well-being. Healthcare spending as a share of GDP was linked to happiness as well, though this relationship was less pronounced compared to wealth and cat ownership.

Among the countries surveyed, the United Kingdom ranked 18th in both happiness and cats per capita, placing it in the upper quartile for both factors. The UK is estimated to have around 13 million cats, approximately one for every five people. However, the highest happiness scores were recorded in Finland, followed by Denmark and Iceland. In terms of cat density, Montenegro topped the list with about 32 cats per 100 people, ahead of Luxembourg with 30 and Slovenia with 24.

The researchers suggested that companionship provided by pets might explain the association, citing earlier studies that linked pet ownership to reduced loneliness, lower stress, and improved emotional well-being. Nevertheless, they also noted that the relationship could be reversed, with thriving populations more likely to afford and desire cats, indicating that the presence of cats might be a reflection of broader social and economic factors rather than a direct cause of happiness.

The study authors highlighted that higher disposable income and better living standards in prosperous countries could lead to greater pet ownership and higher self-reported happiness, suggesting a complex interplay between economic conditions, lifestyle, and well-being.

Overall, the findings point to a nuanced connection between pet ownership, especially cats, and human happiness, influenced by wealth and healthcare but extending beyond these traditional indicators of quality of life.

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