93 Countries: More Cats Tied to Higher Happiness
A new study published in PLOS One finds a surprising link between cat ownership and national happiness, with economic factors potentially playing a key role
A study published in PLOS One on September 30, 2026, has found a correlation between the number of cats in a country and its national happiness score. The research, conducted by Javier I. Borráz-León and colleagues from the Secretariat of Science, Humanities, Technology, and Innovation in Mexico City, analyzed data from 93 countries.
The study found that countries with more cats tend to report higher levels of happiness. This association is consistent with previous studies on the benefits of pet ownership. However, the research also revealed a counterintuitive finding: countries with higher exposure to Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that can be transferred from cats to humans, tend to report lower levels of happiness.
The study's findings are based on associations at the country level and do not imply a direct causal relationship between cat ownership and individual happiness. The authors suggest that the influence of cats on happiness might be tied to economic factors, such as higher income and better public health, which could encourage pet ownership while reducing infection rates.
## What it means The study's results demonstrate that biological factors, as well as economic ones, can correlate with happiness. The research highlights the complex relationships between various factors that influence national well-being, going beyond basic economic indicators such as income and health costs. The findings suggest that a country's happiness score is influenced by a multitude of factors, including the presence of domestic cats and their parasites.
The study's authors emphasize that future research is needed to determine the underlying mechanisms behind the observed relationships. While the study does not resolve the causes of these associations, it provides new insights into the complex factors that contribute to national happiness.
## Next steps Further studies will be necessary to fully understand the relationships between cat ownership, Toxoplasma prevalence, and national happiness. The authors' suggestions that economic factors may play a role in the observed associations provide a starting point for future research. As the study's findings are based on country-level data, individual-level studies could provide more nuanced insights into the relationships between cat ownership and happiness.
