World's Happiest Nations: Finland Leads the Pack
The World Happiness Report, a comprehensive analysis of global happiness levels, has been released for 2021, focusing on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on people worldwide. The report, a publication of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, ranked Finland as the happiest place in the world for the fourth year in a row [6].
Finland's high ranking is attributed to several key factors, including comprehensive welfare benefits, high trust levels, a strong work-life balance, a deep connection to nature, and a highly regarded education system [1][2][5]. These elements create a resilient society that can weather crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Finland provides extensive healthcare, education, unemployment support, and elder care, reducing anxiety and providing security for its citizens [1][2][5]. Finns also have strong trust in their government, low corruption, and trust in fellow citizens, fostering a sense of security and community cohesion that enhances happiness [1][2][5].
The Finnish working culture respects time off, family, and flexible hours, with policies such as shorter workweeks, paid parental leave, and generous vacation. This balance supports leisure, relationships, and mental health [2][3][5]. Finland’s clean environment, access to vast forests and lakes, and cultural practices like sauna and outdoor activities help reduce stress and improve mood [1][3][4].
Finland’s education system focuses on creativity and equal opportunities, cultivating well-being across all ages [3]. These combined elements create resilience and sustained happiness for Finns, even during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. Their strong social safety nets and trust networks mitigated the pandemic’s adverse effects on mental health and economic security, supporting consistent high life satisfaction across all age groups [1][2].
Several Asian countries have improved their rankings in this year's World Happiness Report, with China shifting from 94 to 84 [2]. A total of 22 countries have improved their rankings, indicating a global trend towards increased happiness [2].
However, not all countries have fared as well. The UK fell from the 13th to the 17th place in the World Happiness Report [2]. Afghanistan is at the bottom of the World Happiness Report ranking [7]. Lesotho, Botswana, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe are among the countries that appear after Afghanistan in the ranking [7].
New Zealand is the only non-European nation to be listed in the top 10 of the World Happiness Report, coming in at 10th place [6]. Despite economic challenges such as a recent credit rating downgrade, Finland's emphasis on social cohesion and well-being remains central to their happiness ranking [5].
John Helliwell, one of the report's authors, stated that, on average, no decline in well-being has been observed when people evaluate their own lives [3]. He suggested that people see Covid-19 as a common threat affecting everybody, leading to a greater sense of solidarity and fellow-feeling [3]. This observation is reflected in Finland's strong response to the pandemic, with Finland managing the pandemic better than the majority of Europe [4].
According to data from Johns Hopkins University, there have been over 70,000 cases and only 805 deaths in Finland [4]. After Finland, Denmark was the second happiest country in the top 10, followed by Iceland (4th), Norway (6th), Sweden (7th), New Zealand (8th), and three other unspecified Nordic countries in the top 10 [6].
The World Happiness Report is powered by data from the Gallup World Poll and Lloyd's Register Foundation, and provides access to the World Risk Poll [2]. The report will continue to be an invaluable resource for understanding global happiness trends and identifying areas for improvement.
References: [1] https://worldhappiness.report/ed/2021/ [2] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-56856688 [3] https://www.bbc.com/news/business-56848089 [4] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/20/finland-ranks-top-of-world-happiness-report-for-fourth-year-in-a-row [5] https://www.reuters.com/world/finland-remains-happiest-country-world-despite-economic-challenges-2021-03-20/ [6] https://www.thelocal.de/20210320/finland-ranks-as-worlds-happiest-country-for-fourth-year-in-a-row [7] https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/afghanistan-bottom-world-happiness-report-2021-03-20/
- The strong emphasis on eco-friendly practices, health-and-wellness, and mental health in Finland's education system may contribute to the resilient society's increased happiness and well-being, as suggested by the World Happiness Report.
- The comprehensive analysis of the World Happiness Report indicates that lifestyle factors such as a high regard for nature, leisure activities, and social safety nets play a significant role in promoting mental health and life satisfaction, especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
