Where will I be the happiest? World Happiness Report 2024
Clue: Scandinavian countries are a good place to start
#World Happiness Report #Happiest countries #Be happy
The 2024 World Happiness Report has been released, in association with Gallup and the University of Oxford, with some interesting findings. And Finland yet again, is found to be the happiest country in the world.
Denmark and the other Scandi countries are in the top spots. The top ten include:
- Finland
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Sweden
- Israel
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Luxembourg
- Switzerland
- Australia
World Happiness Report findings
In the top 20, Costa Rica is a new entrant and the USA and Germany no longer rank, placing at 23 and 24 respectively. The UK is at number 20, Spain is at number 36 and Italy is at 41.
Lesotho, Lebanon and Afghanistan are in the bottom three places.
Interestingly, the report breaks down happiness by age group, identifying happiness trends within older and younger demographics.
Younger age groups were found to be on average happier than older age groups worldwide, except in North America where happiness levels have fallen ‘sharply’ for the young.
This is, perhaps, an unexpected finding. In 2024 and in such a developed economy, there are more opportunities and choices for young people than ever before. So, what’s causing happiness to decline so rapidly in this region? It’s likely a complicated answer.
In contrast, if we look to the world’s happiest country, Finland, the Economist gives factors such as low levels of corruption, high levels of trust and equality for why it has such happy inhabitants, both young and old.
If you have the option of working remotely, Finland sounds like a great place to be a digital nomad from! But if moving to Finland really isn’t an option, there’s still hope. Yes, there’s a strong correlation between your environment and happiness, as this study shows. But beyond where you are, having a sense of purpose and perspective is also critical. Having good habits and a healthy mind and body can go a long, long way to making you happier.
And after all, as coined by author Jon Kabat-Zinn, ‘wherever you go, there you are’.
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