Finland once again tops the list as the happiest country in the world for the seventh consecutive year, according to the World Happiness Report published on Wednesday. The report measures the perceived well-being of people in relation to parameters such as the level of social services, health, income, freedom, and corruption in each country. Following Finland are two other Nordic countries, Denmark and Iceland, while Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the ranking. Italy ranks 41st, slightly above Guatemala but behind countries like Kosovo and Romania.
The report is based on surveys conducted in 143 countries and is released on the International Day of Happiness. It is a collaboration between Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, and the UN’s Sustainable Development Solutions Network. This year’s report focuses on analyzing happiness across different age groups. The authors debunk the myth that general well-being and trust are associated with youth while old age is the least happy phase of life. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted this trend, especially affecting younger generations.
The global trend of life satisfaction among 15-24 year olds was interrupted by the pandemic, according to the report. However, there has been a positive rebound in post-COVID benevolence, especially among Millennials and Generation Z. From 2006 to 2010, happiness among 15-24 year olds decreased significantly in North America, with young people becoming less happy than the elderly. A similar trend, albeit less drastic, is observed in Europe, where the well-being gap between its various parts is narrowing.
The report indicates that in Norway, Sweden, Germany, France, the UK, and Spain, the elderly are significantly happier than the young, while Portugal and Greece show the opposite pattern. In the Middle East, South Asia, and North Africa, happiness levels decreased during the years 2021 to 2023. There is also a significant gender gap in terms of happiness measurement, with negative emotions being more prevalent among women compared to men.
The happiness index is measured based on the subjective evaluation of respondents through three well-being indicators: life evaluation, positive emotions, and negative emotions. Life evaluation is measured using the Cantril ladder from 0 to 10, with 10 representing the best possible life. Positive emotions are evaluated based on individual responses regarding laughter, enjoyment, and interest, while negative emotions include worry, sadness, and anger. Factors contributing to people’s well-being include GDP per capita, wealth distribution, psychological stability, and healthy life expectancy.
The World Happiness Report is a global initiative by the United Nations and was first published in 2012. The report provides insights into the happiness levels of different countries and age groups, highlighting the impact of factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic on overall well-being. The findings suggest that while Finland maintains its top spot as the happiest country, there are variations in happiness levels across regions and age groups, emphasizing the importance of addressing social and economic inequalities to improve overall well-being.
