Finland earned an impressive score of 7.80 and claimed the top spot as the happiest country in the world. Nordic countries have been a dominant force in the top ten rankings, with Denmark placing second with a score of 7.59, Iceland taking third place with 7.53, Sweden securing the sixth spot with a score of 7.40, and Norway following closely in seventh place with a score of 7.32.
The World Happiness Report, first published in 2012 by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), initially saw Denmark as the happiest country. However, Finland has made significant progress over the years, and it was declared the world’s happiest country in 2018, holding the title to date.
The world’s happiest countries ranked are:
- Finland
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Israel
- Netherlands
- Sweden
- Norway
- Switzerland
- Luxembourg
- New Zealand
In addition, in a publication by the World Happiness Report for the years 2020–2022, also known as the ‘pandemic years,’ it was shown that many countries demonstrated resilience in overcoming the crisis, with global life satisfaction levels remaining as high as in previous years.
About The World Happiness Report
In the 2023 World Happiness Report, countries are ranked based on their levels of happiness and well-being, taking into account factors such as income, social support, freedom, trust, generosity, and life expectancy. This report not only highlights changes and trends in global happiness levels but also provides valuable insights into how governments and organizations can enhance the happiness and well-being of their citizens.
The report draws on data from the Gallup World Poll surveys conducted from 2020 to 2022, where a Cantril ladder is utilized to gauge people’s attitudes toward their own lives. Each year, 1000 individuals are interviewed from each country, and after three years, the results are combined to provide a reliable estimate of life evaluations.
Despite the pandemic’s disruptive effects on the world and the global economy, the report indicates that over 100,000 individuals across 130 countries reported significantly higher levels of benevolence or acts of kindness than in previous years.
Finland In Comparison To Other Countries
Finland’s education system is considered one of the best globally, with its schools consistently ranking among the top performers in international assessments. Additionally, Finland places a strong emphasis on gender equality, ranking first in the world on the World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Index.
Compared to other countries such as the United States and China, Finland boasts a high standard of living, with its citizens reporting genuine happiness across various areas of life, from physical and mental health to material possessions and national growth. The country has some of the lowest happiness gaps globally. Its social progress is noteworthy, as demonstrated by its high ranking in the Social Progress Index, which measures a country’s progress in areas such as education, healthcare, and basic human needs.
Finland’s consistent ranking as the world’s happiest country can be attributed to its ability to meet the well-being needs of its citizens, with a focus on areas such as social welfare, education, and gender equality. Overall, Finland’s success in achieving high levels of happiness and social progress makes it a model for other countries to emulate.
Given Finland’s consistent top performance in the World Happiness Report, do you believe any other country has the potential to claim the title of the world’s happiest country? We would love to hear your opinion, so feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section.
