Table of Contents
Finland is the happiest country in the world again. Here’s their secret to improving well-being
For seven years in a row, Finland retains its title as the world’s happiest nation, according to the latest 2024 World Happiness Report. Conversely, India’s position at 126th out of 143 nations highlights notable happiness challenges.
Finland’s ongoing success in fostering life satisfaction is underscored by its strong sense of community, acts of kindness, and a clear sense of purpose. In contrast, India’s ranking points to disparities among different demographic groups, indicating the necessity to address issues such as living standards, discrimination, and health discrepancies.
Various factors contribute to happiness, encompassing GDP per capita, social support, life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and corruption levels. While the top ten countries exhibit relative stability, shifts within the top 20 nations indicate evolving patterns in global happiness.
Finland’s consistent performance is further demonstrated by its achievements in education, work-life balance, environmental quality, and social connections, as highlighted by the OECD Better Life Index. By promoting community engagement and encouraging positive behaviors, Finland serves as a model for prioritizing well-being at both individual and societal levels.
Table of index
| Rank | Happiest Countries |
|---|---|
| 1 | Finland |
| 2 | Denmark |
| 3 | Iceland |
| 4 | Sweden |
| 5 | Israel |
| 6 | Netherlands |
| 7 | Norway |
| 8 | Luxembourg |
| 9 | Switzerland |
| 10 | Australia |
| Rank | Happiest Countries for those under age 30 |
|---|---|
| 1 | Lithuania |
| 2 | Israel |
| 3 | Serbia |
| 4 | Iceland |
| 5 | Denmark |
| 6 | Luxembourg |
| 7 | Finland |
| 8 | Romania |
| 9 | Netherlands |
| 10 | Czech Republic |
| Rank | Happiest Countries for those 60 and older |
|---|---|
| 1 | Denmark |
| 2 | Finland |
| 3 | Norway |
| 4 | Sweden |
| 5 | Iceland |
| 6 | New Zealand |
| 7 | Netherlands |
| 8 | Canada |
| 9 | Australia |
| 10 | United States |
The latest World Happiness Report for 2024 has been released, with Finland retaining its position as the happiest country for the seventh consecutive year. Conversely, India ranked 126th out of 143 countries assessed.
This annual report evaluates happiness levels across more than 140 nations, considering factors like social support, income, health, freedom, generosity, and corruption levels. Data is collected from multiple sources, including the Gallup World Poll, and the report is published annually to coincide with the International Day of Happiness on March 20. Collaborators include the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Gallup, and the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre.
Nordic countries, particularly Denmark and Iceland, continue to dominate the top rankings. Notably, Costa Rica and Lithuania have entered the top 20 list for the first time.
Conversely, Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the happiness index, along with Lebanon, Lesotho, Sierra Leone, and Congo.
India’s ranking remained unchanged at 126th place from the previous year. Regarding neighboring countries, China ranked higher at 60, followed by The report also explores happiness trends among different age groups, highlighting Lithuania as the happiest country for individuals under 30 and Denmark as the top spot for those over 60. Notably, there are shifting happiness dynamics among older populations.
Nepal at 93, Pakistan at 108, Myanmar at 118, Sri Lanka at 128, and Bangladesh at 129.
Additionally, the report underscores a concerning decline in children’s happiness, especially in North America and Western Europe, prompting calls for policy action. Loneliness emerges as a significant concern, particularly in the United States, with younger generations reporting higher levels of loneliness compared to older demographics.
Despite ongoing conflicts, Israel secures the fifth position in the report, attributed to the three-year averaging method used in the rankings to mitigate immediate impacts of events like the war with Hamas.
Why India at 126th ?
India’s recent placement at 126th out of 149 countries in the 2023 World Happiness Index is disappointing. The index employs six criteria to assess happiness: GDP per capita; social support; healthy life expectancy; freedom to make life choices; generosity; and perceptions of corruption (a composite measure). Although India performs well in certain areas like strong economic growth and accessible healthcare, it struggles in terms of social support networks and freedom from corruption.
Various factors contribute to the ongoing unhappiness in the nation, including rapid urbanization and congestion in urban areas, unemployment, negative perceptions of corruption, rising healthcare expenses, concerns about women’s safety, environmental pollution, and insufficient support for mental well-being.