The research surveyed over 6,000 participants across 31 countries, evaluating four distinct humour styles: affiliative, self-enhancing, aggressive, and self-deprecating.

Topping the list is the Czech Republic, known for its dry wit, self-deprecating humour, and perfectly timed sarcasm. Portugal follows in second place, with a national sense of humour that blends clever wordplay, light teasing, and a warm, socially intelligent style. Ireland ranks third, praised for its storytelling charm and high scores in affiliative and self-enhancing humour.

The study highlights how humour acts as a universal bridge between cultures, helping people connect, build friendships, and feel at ease in unfamiliar settings – particularly relevant for expats, travellers, and remote workers. Ryan Riley, VP of Marketing for EMEA and APAC at Remitly, noted:

“Humour is often the first bridge between people, especially when adapting when adapting to a new country or culture. It breaks the ice, builds trust, and creates shared moments that make us feel heard and understood.”

Developed in partnership with psychology expert Dr Rod Martin, the study measured how frequently people use each type of humour in daily life – whether to ease awkward moments, connect with others, or reflect cultural traits.

Other top ranking nations include Belgium (4th), with a balanced and subtle sense of humour, and Chile and Greece in joint 5th place, both known for expressive and inclusive humour styles. Meanwhile, the UK ranked 18th, showing moderate scores across all styles, and the US came in 29th, favouring self-enhancing humour.

The full findings are available via Remitly’s official website: https://www.remitly.com/gb/en/landing/worlds-funniest-nations