So like, it’s been more than ten years since the first World Happiness Report came out in 2012, you know? And since then, the United Nations has been doing this yearly thing where they put out a list of the happiest countries. These are like the places where people are more, um, like happy with their lives compared to others, I guess. Even though there’s been a lot of tough stuff going on, you know, like pandemics, disasters, and wars, the UN and all these governments around the world are still trying to figure out what makes people happy. They’re like really into making rules that can help everyone feel better.
So this new study thing, it came out on Monday, March 20, 2023, which is also World Happiness Day, I think. They looked at six big things that make people feel happy. Stuff like having friends, having money, being healthy, having freedom, being nice, and not having corruption. They also checked out how happiness is spread in countries. It’s kind of cool that in places where the happiness gap between people is small—like more people have those six things—they’re like way happier overall.
New Zealand
New Zealand’s happiness number is kind of because people don’t think there’s much bad stuff going on there, like corruption. They’re pretty good at being trusted, you know, like other countries think they’re reliable. Some study in 2022 said New Zealand is like the second most trusted country. That’s why they’re up in the top 10 happiest countries, I guess.
Luxembourg: Income and Happiness
The happiness thing also looks at money, which I mean, doesn’t buy happiness, but it helps, right? Luxembourg is cool because the people there have more money compared to other places. That’s why they’re like doing well in the happiness thing.
Switzerland: Excellence in Various Aspects
Switzerland is always doing great in lots of stuff, like money, school, health, and nature. People in Switzerland live a long time, like around 84 years. So that’s why they’re all about being happy.
Norway: Virtues and Happiness
This report even looks at old ideas, like what Aristotle thought about being good. So countries where people are like fair, have friends, and care about their place, they’re usually happier. Norway does that stuff, like being nice and all, which is why they’re in the top 10 happiest.
Sweden: Resilience and Adaptability
Sweden is number six on the list, so they’re really happy, you know? Even though they’re not like the happiest Nordic place, they’re still pretty chill. They did things different when the pandemic happened, and that’s how they’re good at changing and stuff.
The Netherlands: State Effectiveness and Life Satisfaction
Countries get put into different groups based on how good they are at making people’s lives better. The Netherlands is in this group that’s good at making rules that help everyone. When a country can do things like get money, give services, and keep things calm, people there feel happier.
Israel: Focus on Well-being
Israel went from ninth to fourth place, so that’s pretty cool, right? They’re good at health, friends, and being happy with their lives. Israel cares about being well and having friends, and that’s why they moved up in the happy countries list.
Iceland: Equality and Happiness
Iceland is like the other Nordic places, thinking about fairness and being happy. When everyone is treated the same, people are more like, “Yay!” Iceland is all about being fair and well, and that’s why they’re up there in the top three happiest.
Denmark: High Tax Rates, High Happiness
Denmark is second in the report, and they’re known for high taxes, which is kind of weird, but it helps, I guess? People there get to use good stuff because of those taxes. Good stuff makes people feel good and that’s why Denmark is always happy.
Finland: Generosity and Well-being
For six years, Finland is like the happiest country ever. They’re cool with sharing, having money, choices, and living a long time. People in Finland are really nice too, like they return lost stuff, and that’s why their whole country is like super happy.
