In the latest World Happiness Report, Finland, a European country, is once again at the top of the list of the happiest 143 countries. Denmark and Iceland have successfully maintained their second and third positions, respectively.
According to the global news agency, the United Nations releases a list of the happiest and unhappiest countries on the occasion of the Global Day of Happiness through collaboration. This list ranks countries based on factors such as per capita income, freedom, generosity, quality of life, and corruption. Kuwait is also included in this list of Muslim countries, ranked 13th.
Details of World Happiness Report
In order of the happiest countries, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Israel, the Netherlands, Norway, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Australia are the top 10 countries. America fell to 23rd place for the first time.
Pakistan maintained its 108th position, while India was ranked 126th. The Indian population proved to be less happy compared to Pakistanis. Afghanistan is at the very bottom, followed by Lebanon.
For the first time this year, countries have also been ranked separately by age group. Lithuania topped the list for happiness among individuals under 30. Pakistan ranks 107th, India 127th, and Bangladesh 128th.
Similarly, in the list of individuals aged 60 or older, Denmark ranks first, Pakistan 112th, India 121st, and Bangladesh 120th.
The report, now in its 12th year, is sponsored by the United Nations and draws on data from tens of thousands of people, along with economic and social indicators, to assess happiness levels globally.
Finland, with a population of 5.5 million, continues to reign supreme with a happiness score of 7.74 out of 10. In stark contrast, Afghanistan scored a mere 1.72. The UK’s happiness score stands at 6.72, while the US has seen a slight decline, dropping out of the top 20 with a score marginally below that of the UK.
The bottom 20 countries in this list of 143 countries have been included in the world’s 20 least happy countries, with Afghanistan at the top. Alongside Yemen, Jordan, Egypt, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, India is also included among the unhappy countries.
Experts have noted a concerning trend of decreasing well-being among younger adults in Europe and North America, with this year’s report being the first to analyze happiness levels by age group. The US, for instance, ranks 62nd in happiness among young adults but fares much better among older age groups.
Analysts attribute the decline in happiness levels to various factors, including economic pressures, social issues, and generational differences. Notably, people born before 1965 tend to report higher levels of happiness compared to those born after 1980, suggesting a generational shift in well-being.
The world happiness report’s editor, Professor Jan-Emmanuel De Neve of the University of Oxford, underscores the urgent need for policy interventions to address declining happiness levels, particularly among children and adolescents.
Despite the overall decline in happiness for some nations, Europe continues to dominate the top ranks of the world happiness report. Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and the Netherlands are among the top-ranking countries, while war-torn Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the list, alongside Lebanon.
As the world grapples with ongoing challenges, understanding and addressing the factors that contribute to happiness remain crucial for promoting well-being and prosperity on a global scale.
