Finland is the happiest country in the world

The Finns have long been considered to lead one of the happiest lifestyles, resulting in Finland having been named the happiest country in the world by the United Nations World Happiness Report in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. 

Finland has been ranked 1st again in the annual World Happiness Report published by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, a global initiative for the United Nations – retaining this prestigious title for the 4th consecutive year – a previously unseen accomplishment. Appearing already as a sort of constant, Finnish happiness can be attributed to a number of factors, and many Finns credit it to their connection with nature and the outdoors with over 90% of Finland covered in either forest or water.

Overall, more than 150 countries were assessed by how happy their citizens perceive themselves to be. The report took into account factors such as perceived freedom, honesty, welfare, good health and generosity when listing each country. Finland was joined in the top five by Iceland, Denmark, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

Researchers pointed to Finland’s high level of trust among its population as being one of the reasons behind it topping the list once again, “helping to protect lives and livelihoods during the pandemic”. The report also identified citizens’ confidence in their governments as being a contributing factor in explaining each country’s COVID-19 death rates.

“Finnish happiness isn’t skin deep and immediately visible – it’s deeply engrained in our being. Sustainable happiness is our superpower, and it means we tend to take life as it comes – a trait that is helping us through these challenging times. We appreciate the small things in our daily lives, such as sitting quietly on a bench and staring at the empty lake after a relaxing sauna session or taking a morning dip in the sea before starting the working day,” explains Heli Jimenez, Senior Director, International Marketing at Business Finland.

‘Happiness is a place called Finland’ video: https://youtu.be/LXAI2hGVw7Y  
Read the original report here.

Source: Visit Finland