The World Happiness Report, recently published by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, highlights the Nordic countries for their high quality of life, strong governance, and excellent infrastructure. Finland has consistently ranked first in the national happiness rankings, followed by Denmark and Sweden in second and third place, respectively.
Top 10 Happiest Countries in the World
1. Finland
Finland is the happiest country in the world. (Photo: Shutterstock).
Scandinavian countries seem to always possess the secret to a happy lifestyle, and Finland is no exception. The people of Finland excel at fostering community solidarity and trust.
Even though Finland’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic was decisive and effective, the citizens do not overly depend on the government and freely make their own decisions, which is a key to collective happiness.
2. Denmark
The second happiest country in the world, Denmark, scores highly in almost all evaluation criteria of the report, from GDP per capita, generosity, to low corruption levels. Additionally, extensive social welfare combined with a small population contributes to Denmark’s “achievement” of happiness and superior quality of life.
3. Iceland
Iceland is praised for its spirit of support and generosity. (Photo: Shutterstock).
Not only famous for its top-notch education quality, low crime rate, and high sense of community, Iceland is also highly regarded for its spirit of support and generosity. Another significant advantage is its beautiful nature and biodiversity. It’s hard not to be happy when surrounded by numerous waterfalls, hot springs, and fjords.
4. Switzerland
As one of the healthiest countries in the world, Switzerland boasts one of the lowest obesity rates while having a high life expectancy. This European nation has an exceptionally high average salary—about 75% higher than that of the United States—along with a top-tier GDP per capita.
With a strong community spirit and fresh mountain air, it is no surprise that Switzerland ranks among the top five happiest countries in the world.
5. Netherlands
The Netherlands scores very high on criteria such as generosity and social ethics, with most citizens believing that their government operates free from corruption. The remarkable trust in the government and among citizens is the formula for the Netherlands’ excellent quality of life.
6. Luxembourg
The country’s advantage is its high GDP per capita. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Luxembourg is a small country but compensates with a very positive spirit of living. Its advantages include a high GDP per capita, respect for personal freedom, high life expectancy, mutual community support, and generosity.
7. Sweden
Sweden is a perfect model of high quality of life according to Scandinavian standards. This is all thanks to Sweden’s negligible corruption, extremely high GDP per capita, and long life expectancy. The government also designs many special programs to enhance quality of life, including extended summer vacations.
8. Norway
Universal healthcare, free university tuition, and a balance between work and life are significant factors that set Norway apart. The country also has a low crime rate and a strong community spirit. Furthermore, Norway boasts breathtaking natural scenery, ranging from mountains and fjords to dense forests.
9. Israel
Israel is the only country outside of Europe or Scandinavia in the top 10 and represents the Middle East. Israeli citizens enjoy a high life expectancy, respect for community values, and cooperation. In terms of climate, they benefit from eight months of clear skies.
10. New Zealand
Isolated from the rest of the world, New Zealand makes it to the list of the 10 happiest countries due to its relaxed lifestyle, ability to balance work and life, as well as stable politics and extremely low crime rates.
New Zealand ranks among the top 10 happiest countries due to its relaxed lifestyle and work-life balance. (Photo: Shutterstock)
For the past 10 years, the World Happiness Report has been published annually, using data surveyed by Gallup World Poll involving thousands of people from 150 countries. The criteria used for evaluation include GDP, life expectancy, generosity, community support, freedom, and corruption levels.
Ranking from 11 to 20 in 2022 are Austria, Australia, Ireland, Germany, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Belgium, and France.
At the bottom of the list are countries devastated by war, with Afghanistan ranking 150th. While Israel ranks 9th, Palestine is at 122nd. The two countries currently in conflict, Russia and Ukraine, occupy the 80th and 98th positions, respectively.
