Finland named as happiest country for eighth year

Finland has been recognized as the happiest country in the world for the eighth consecutive year, according to the latest World Happiness Report. Experts attribute this remarkable achievement to several factors, including the country's easy access to nature and a robust welfare system that supports its citizens. In this year's report, Finland outperformed three other Nordic nations, while Costa Rica and Mexico made their debut in the top 10 happiest countries. On the other hand, both the United Kingdom and the United States experienced a decline in their rankings, landing at 23rd and 24th place, respectively, marking the lowest position ever for the US. This shift in rankings highlights the dynamic nature of happiness across different countries. The study also revealed an interesting finding: people are generally kinder than we perceive. Researchers conducted an experiment where they intentionally lost wallets in various locations to see how many would be returned. The results were surprising, as nearly twice as many wallets were returned compared to what people expected. This suggests that our belief in the kindness of others is closely linked to our own happiness. John F. Helliwell, an economist from the University of British Columbia and a founding editor of the report, emphasized that the data from the wallet experiment indicates that individuals tend to be happier in environments where they believe others care about them. The World Happiness Report, which is published annually to coincide with the UN's International Day of Happiness, ranks countries based on how people evaluate their lives. In Finland, an impressive 90% of the population visits a sauna weekly, an activity known to promote both physical and mental well-being. Finland achieved an average happiness score of 7. 736 out of 10, securing the top position, with Denmark following closely in second place. Experts noted that strong family ties contributed to the rise of Costa Rica and Mexico in the rankings. The study, conducted by the University of Oxford's Wellbeing Research Centre, asked individuals to rate their lives on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 represents the worst possible life and 10 signifies the best. The rankings are based on a three-year average of these scores. The top 10 happiest countries are: 1. Finland 2. Denmark 3. Iceland 4. Sweden 5. Netherlands 6. Costa Rica 7. Norway 8. Israel 9. Luxembourg 10. Mexico. The report also highlighted that sharing meals with others is strongly associated with well-being worldwide. Jeffrey D. Sachs, president of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, stated that the findings reaffirm the idea that happiness is rooted in trust, kindness, and social connections. He emphasized the importance of translating this understanding into positive actions that foster peace, civility, and well-being in communities around the globe. Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, director of Oxford's Wellbeing Research Centre, added that in today's era of social isolation and political polarization, it is crucial to find ways to bring people together. This effort is vital for both individual and collective well-being. Have you ever experienced unexpected kindness from a stranger? We invite you to share your stories with us.