In the latest report on global happiness, there are reasons to be optimistic. Benevolence has witnessed a remarkable surge of about 25 percent compared to the pre-pandemic era. John Helliwell, one of the authors of the World Happiness Report, highlighted the significant increase in benevolence towards others, particularly the assistance extended to strangers, which experienced a substantial rise in 2021 and remained high in 2022.

Contrary to expectations, the three years of the Covid-19 pandemic did not inflict a blow to global happiness. The report suggests that life evaluations from 2020 to 2022 have displayed remarkable resilience with global averages closely aligning with the three years preceding the pandemic. In the face of adversity, positive emotions have prevailed, outnumbering negative ones by twice the margin. Additionally, feelings of positive social support have remained twice as strong as those of loneliness, demonstrating the strength of human connections during challenging times.

The report, published by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, draws upon extensive global survey data encompassing participants from over 150 countries. These countries are evaluated based on their average life evaluations from 2020 to 2022.

This report not only identifies the happiest nations and those at the bottom of the happiness scale, but also delves into the factors that contribute to greater happiness. It is worth noting that March 20 marks the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Happiness, an occasion designated by the United Nations.

Finland Tops World Happiness Rankings for Sixth Consecutive Year

finland named world's happiest countries in 2023 - view of street in helsinki with tram cars in the at dusk in the afternoon — Photo Credit: Tapio Haaja

In a continued display of contentment, Finland has secured the title of the world’s happiest country for the sixth consecutive year, according to the latest World Happiness Report rankings. The rankings rely heavily on life evaluations gathered from the Gallup World Poll.

Notably, Finland and its neighboring countries – Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and Norway – excel in the measures used to explain the report’s findings. These measures include factors, such as healthy life expectancy, GDP per capita, social support, low corruption levels, a culture of generosity and community care, and the freedom to make significant life decisions.

What Do The Rankings Mean

Helliwell, who is also a professor, suggests that these top-ranking nations may offer insights worth emulating. He questions whether they are implementing practices that were long desired to see and can begin adopting. Helliwell emphasizes that the answer from his perspective lies in the former rather than something unique about their climate or history.

Taking a comprehensive view of a society’s well-being and considering all its components contributes to better life evaluations and ultimately happier countries. The report emphasizes that every institution should strive to contribute to human well-being, which involves accounting for future generations and safeguarding fundamental human rights.

In this year’s rankings, Israel has made a significant leap, securing the fourth spot after being ranked ninth last year. The Netherlands, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and New Zealand complete the top 10. Notably, Australia, Canada, Ireland, the United States, and the United Kingdom all made it into the top 20.

While the top 20 countries tend to remain consistent year after year, there is a new addition to the list: Lithuania. Over the past six years, the Baltic nation has made steady progress, ascending from the 52nd position in 2017 to claim the 20th spot in the latest rankings. Estonia (No. 31) and Latvia (No. 41), the other Baltic countries, have also been climbing the ranks. According to Helliwell, a similar narrative unfolds in the rest of Central and Eastern Europe. Countries in these regions have likely normalized the transition since the 1990s and are gradually establishing a more stable identity as the years pass.

However, France experienced a slight setback this year, dropping out of the top 20 to claim the 21st position in the report.

Afghanistan and Lebanon Rank at the Bottom as World Happiness Report Highlights Disparities

In the latest World Happiness Report rankings, Afghanistan and Lebanon find themselves at the very bottom of the list, ranking 137th and 136th, respectively. The average life evaluations in these countries are over five points lower on a scale from 0 to 10 compared to the top 10 happiest nations.

The report’s release coincided with the global spotlight on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which deeply impacted both countriesWhere do these nations stand according to the latest surveys?

The well-being of Ukraine has undoubtedly suffered, yet the report reveals that life evaluations in September 2022 remained higher than in the aftermath of the 2014 annexation. The Ukrainian people’s resilience is supported by a stronger sense of common purpose, benevolence, and trust in their leadership, despite the magnitude of suffering and damage endured.

In 2022, both countries experienced an increase in confidence in their governments, but the survey indicates that Ukraine witnessed a more significant growth in this regard compared to Russia. Notably, Ukrainian support for Russian leadership plummeted to zero.

In this year’s rankings, Russia occupies the 70th spot, while Ukraine stands at 92nd.

As the world continues to grapple with the disruptions caused by the pandemic, it has prompted widespread reflection. John Helliwell, one of the report’s authors, notes that individuals are reevaluating their life objectives and contemplating the essence of their existence. People are questioning what they wish to return to and how they want to shape the rest of their lives.

Helliwell expresses his hope that this shift towards explicitly considering values and other people will influence not only decisions about jobs or schools but also how individuals engage within those environments. He emphasizes that true happiness lies not in grades or salaries but in cooperative and meaningful interactions with others. By prioritizing the well-being of others over personal gain, individuals can experience a sense of fulfillment and make positive contributions to the world.

In essence, the happiness research underscores the idea that caring for others can lead to a deeper sense of self-fulfillment, transcending mere individualism.