Czech Republic Tops Global Comedy Rankings, Surpassing US and UK in Surprising Humor Study

Global Humor Rankings: UK Falls Behind, Czech Republic Takes Top Spot

A new study reveals the world’s funniest nations—and the UK isn’t cracking the top 10. Despite Britain’s love for sarcasm and dry wit, the Czech Republic claimed the No. 1 spot, followed by Portugal and Ireland. The UK ranked 18th, tied with Canada and trailing Australia (7th) and France (13th), while Germany and the U.S. landed near the bottom at 27th and 29th, respectively.

The Czech Republic’s humor blends sharp irony, sarcasm, and self-defeating wit—earning it the title of the world’s funniest nation (Image: Prague Old Town).

How the Rankings Were Determined

Remitly, a financial services company, surveyed 6,000 people across 30 countries using the Humour Styles Questionnaire—a psychological tool assessing humor styles like self-deprecation, irony, and storytelling. Participants rated statements such as, “I don’t have to work hard to make others laugh,” or “I tease people about their mistakes.” Nations were then scored out of 112.

Top 10 Funniest Countries

1. Czech Republic: 72.3
2. Portugal: 71.4
3. Ireland: 71.2
4. Belgium, Chile, Greece: 71.1
5. Australia: 71.0

Ireland’s third-place finish highlights its talent for storytelling and quick wit, embodied by comedians like Joanne McNally.

Regional Humor Styles

• Czech Republic: Subtle, clever, and unexpectedly sharp.
• Portugal: Warmth meets socially intelligent teasing.
• Ireland: Affiliative humor fueled by storytelling.
• UK: Dry, self-deprecating jokes (think Ricky Gervais and Richard Ayoade), but scored only 69.5.
• U.S.: Ranked 29th, with humor leaning on self-enhancement over irony.

UK comedians Ricky Gervais (left) and Richard Ayoade (right) champion sarcasm, but Britain placed mid-table.

Why Humor Matters Globally

Ryan Riley of Remitly notes humor bridges cultural gaps: “Laughter is a universal language. Understanding these differences helps build connections abroad.” For example, Chile’s humor thrives on family bonds, while Greece mixes Mediterranean flair with self-deprecation.

The U.S. ranked 29th—comedians like Dave Chappelle might not find this funny.

Gender Differences in Humor

A prior study found men prefer slapstick or visual gags, while women favor political or domestic jokes. These nuances highlight how humor varies even within cultures.

Bonus: Dad Jokes to Test Your Wit

1. Why couldn’t the toilet paper cross the road? It got stuck in a crack.
2. What’s orange and sounds like a parrot? A carrot.
3. What did the duck say after reading these? “I quacked up!”

While the UK’s ranking may surprise some, humor remains subjective. After all, as Riley says, “Every culture uses it differently—but laughter always connects us.”

Featured Countries:

• South Africa (19th): Trevor Noah’s birthplace.
• Japan (26th): Cultural humor contrasts with Western styles.

South Africa’s Trevor Noah brings Johannesburg-born humor to global audiences.

In the end, whether you’re chuckling at Czech irony or British sarcasm, humor truly is a global unifier—even when rankings suggest otherwise.