Where do the happiest people in the world live?

For the sixth year in a row, Finland holds the lead as the country where the happiest citizens live, according to the World Happiness Report, published by CNBC.

The United Nations, in search of solutions for sustainable development (under whose auspices this ranking is compiled every year), evaluates six key factors that influence the ranking of more than 150 countries based on their estimates of life expectancy between 2020 and 2022. These factors are: social support, income, health, freedom, generosity, absence of corruption.

Using the above parameters, the report examines the happiness gap between the top and bottom half of the population in each country. The authors of the report note: “this gap is small in countries where almost everyone is very unhappy, and in countries where there are almost no unhappy people.”

This year the rating is similar to last year: the same countries of Northern Europe occupy the first places. In particular, as in 2022, Denmark was in second place and Iceland in third.

According to Frank Martel, Finnish philosopher and psychology researcher, one of the reasons why people in Finland are so happy is that they don’t compare themselves to their neighbors, don’t overlook the blessings of nature, and don’t break the laws of nature. “More focus on what makes you happy and less on looking successful. The first step to true happiness is to set your own standards, not compare yourself to others,” Martela says in an interview with CNBC Make It.

Finland is ready to share its wisdom: the country is offering a free ‘happiness master class’ to help travelers find their ‘inner Finn’. Special coaches will “lead” their wards (and teach them to be happy) on four main topics: nature and lifestyle, health and balance, planning and daily life, food and well-being.

The US is not in the top ten and has not been able to rise above 15th in the rankings.

10 happiest countries in the world:

1. Finland
2. Denmark
3. Iceland
4. Israel
5. Netherlands
6. Sweden
7. Norway
8. Switzerland
9. Luxembourg
10. New Zealand.

According to Denmark’s official website, the country’s high rating is partly due to the level of equality in the country and the sense of responsibility of the authorities for social well-being. People living in Denmark pay some of the highest taxes in the world – up to half of their income, but this balanced The fact that most of the health care in the country is free, university students do not pay tuition and receive a scholarship that helps them cover the costs. Education and childcare are subsidized, and the elderly receive a decent pension and caregivers.

Iceland may be the most sparsely populated country in Europe, but its people are among the happiest in the world, thanks to the country’s position and the fact that residents have a strong sense of community (cohesion, mutual assistance). According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), in Iceland, 98% of people believe they know someone they can rely on in times of need. This is the highest rate in the OECD, where the average is 91%.

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