The latest report on the happiest countries worldwide has been released, showcasing Finland once again as the happiest nation. This year, Nordic countries, comprising Northern Europe and Atlantic nations, have secured the top spots in the list of the happiest countries with the highest scores. Finland has consistently topped the rankings of the happiest countries for seven consecutive years. This year’s report marks the first one to include separate rankings based on age groups, focusing on the experience of life satisfaction and happiness among youths aged 15 to 24 between 2006 and 2019.
The report reveals a decline in happiness among youths in North America, Western Europe, the Middle East, Northern Africa, and South Asia. The survey data, based on a global survey of people from 143 countries, highlights changes in average life evaluations of countries over the past three years.
Finland Leads Global Happiness Index, India Stagnates at 126th Place
- Finland Leads: Finland secures the top position as the happiest country globally, followed by Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden in the top rankings.
- India’s Position: India ranks at 126th place among 143 countries, indicating a stagnant position compared to the previous year.
- Youth Happiness: In the United States and Canada, happiness scores among youths aged under 30 were significantly lower compared to individuals aged 60 and above. This suggests a dramatic decline in happiness among American youth, pushing the United States out of the top 20 happiest countries for the first time since 2012.
- Lowest-ranked Countries: Afghanistan ranks as the least happy country globally, with Lebanon, Lesotho, Sierra Leone, and Congo also among the bottom-ranked nations.
World Happiness Report Stresses Holistic Assessment of Life Satisfaction for Global Well-being
The report underscores the importance of evaluating the overall life satisfaction of individuals from different perspectives, considering what matters most to them. John Helliwell, Emeritus Professor of Economics at the Vancouver School of Economics at the University of British Columbia and co-editor of the World Happiness Report, emphasizes the need to assess the holistic value of life for each participant in the survey.
The rankings reflect both the individual and collective perceptions of happiness and life satisfaction, shedding light on the diverse factors that contribute to the overall well-being of nations across the globe. As countries strive to improve the quality of life for their citizens, these rankings serve as a valuable benchmark for policymakers and researchers alike in understanding and addressing the key determinants of happiness and well-being on a global scale.