Are you planning on moving to another country?
Are you planning a trip abroad?
Or maybe you’re just curious to know what the happiest country in the world is.
Whatever your reasons for asking this question, this article can provide you with a list of the happiest countries in the world, the reasons why they are at the top of the list, and what exactly makes these countries stand out.
So, on that note, let’s jump right in.
Contents
Happiest Countries in the World Index
Country | World Happiness Report 2023 |
---|---|
Finland | 7.804 |
Denmark | 7.586 |
Iceland | 7.53 |
Israel | 7.473 |
Netherlands | 7.403 |
Sweden | 7.395 |
Norway | 7.315 |
Switzerland | 7.24 |
Luxembourg | 7.228 |
New Zealand | 7.123 |
Austria | 7.097 |
Australia | 7.095 |
Canada | 6.961 |
Ireland | 6.911 |
United States | 6.894 |
Germany | 6.892 |
Belgium | 6.859 |
Czech Republic | 6.845 |
United Kingdom | 6.796 |
Lithuania | 6.763 |
France | 6.661 |
Slovenia | 6.65 |
Costa Rica | 6.609 |
Romania | 6.589 |
Singapore | 6.587 |
United Arab Emirates | 6.571 |
Taiwan | 6.535 |
Uruguay | 6.494 |
Slovakia | 6.469 |
Saudi Arabia | 6.463 |
Estonia | 6.455 |
Spain | 6.436 |
Italy | 6.405 |
Chile | 6.334 |
Mexico | 6.33 |
Malta | 6.3 |
Panama | 6.265 |
Poland | 6.26 |
Nicaragua | 6.259 |
Latvia | 6.213 |
Bahrain | 6.173 |
Guatemala | 6.15 |
Kazakhstan | 6.144 |
Serbia | 6.144 |
Cyprus | 6.13 |
Japan | 6.129 |
Brazil | 6.125 |
Croatia | 6.125 |
El Salvador | 6.122 |
Hungary | 6.041 |
Argentina | 6.024 |
Honduras | 6.023 |
Uzbekistan | 6.014 |
Malaysia | 6.012 |
Portugal | 5.968 |
South Korea | 5.951 |
Greece | 5.931 |
Mauritius | 5.902 |
Thailand | 5.843 |
Mongolia | 5.84 |
Kyrgyzstan | 5.825 |
Moldova | 5.819 |
China | 5.818 |
Vietnam | 5.763 |
Paraguay | 5.738 |
Montenegro | 5.722 |
Jamaica | 5.703 |
Bolivia | 5.684 |
Russia | 5.661 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 5.633 |
Colombia | 5.63 |
Dominican Republic | 5.569 |
Ecuador | 5.559 |
Peru | 5.526 |
Philippines | 5.523 |
Bulgaria | 5.466 |
Nepal | 5.36 |
Armenia | 5.342 |
Tajikistan | 5.33 |
Algeria | 5.329 |
Hong Kong | 5.308 |
Indonesia | 5.277 |
Albania | 5.277 |
South Africa | 5.275 |
Republic of the Congo | 5.267 |
North Macedonia | 5.254 |
Venezuela | 5.211 |
Laos | 5.111 |
Georgia | 5.109 |
Guinea | 5.072 |
Ukraine | 5.071 |
Ivory Coast | 5.053 |
Gabon | 5.035 |
Nigeria | 4.981 |
Cameroon | 4.973 |
Mozambique | 4.954 |
Iraq | 4.941 |
Palestine | 4.908 |
Morocco | 4.903 |
Iran | 4.876 |
Senegal | 4.855 |
Mauritania | 4.724 |
Burkina Faso | 4.638 |
Namibia | 4.631 |
Turkey | 4.614 |
Ghana | 4.605 |
Pakistan | 4.555 |
Niger | 4.501 |
Tunisia | 4.497 |
Kenya | 4.487 |
Sri Lanka | 4.442 |
Uganda | 4.432 |
Chad | 4.397 |
Cambodia | 4.393 |
Benin | 4.374 |
Myanmar | 4.372 |
Bangladesh | 4.282 |
Gambia | 4.279 |
Mali | 4.198 |
Egypt | 4.17 |
Togo | 4.137 |
Jordan | 4.12 |
Ethiopia | 4.091 |
Liberia | 4.042 |
India | 4.036 |
Madagascar | 4.019 |
Zambia | 3.982 |
Tanzania | 3.694 |
Comoros | 3.545 |
Malawi | 3.495 |
Botswana | 3.435 |
DR Congo | 3.207 |
Zimbabwe | 3.204 |
Sierra Leone | 3.138 |
Lebanon | 2.392 |
Afghanistan | 1.859 |
Yemen | 1 |
Rwanda | 1 |
Azerbaijan | 1 |
Belarus | 1 |
Libya | 1 |
Turkmenistan | 1 |
Kuwait | 1 |
Lesotho | 1 |
Eswatini | 1 |
Exploring the Top 3
1. Finland
If you’ve ever wondered which countries are the happiest, you’ve probably come across Finland more than a few times.
This is because Finland has been named The Happiest Country in the World for the last six years.
If you’re wondering why this country hasn’t yet been dethroned from its rightful place as the happiest country, here are two main reasons:
- Finland prioritizes work-life balance: Unlike most other countries, the ‘grind’ culture is not put on a pedestal. In other words, workers enjoy at least one 30-minute break on those days when they work more than six hours and no less than 11 hours of time off between shifts.
- It has one of the best education systems in the world: For starters, Finland students take one standardized test during primary and secondary school. The curriculum focuses on complex issues that span more than one specific class. As a result, this standardized test includes academic questions as well as ethical and moral questions that are designed to make students think outside the box.
2. Denmark
The second country on our list is Denmark.
If you’ve ever visited or read about this country, it becomes evident why Denmark is at the top of the list.
Here are a few reasons:
- Universal healthcare: Denmark has some of the highest taxes in the world, and yet the Danish people don’t complain. Why? Because they get a lot more in return, such as free healthcare for all. Most people in Denmark opt for what is known as Group 1 coverage, which allows doctors to refer people to specialists at no cost.
- Free education: The other reason Danes do not complain about high taxes is the fact that Denmark provides free higher education. On top of that, some students get paid to go to school. Unlike other countries, where students graduate with loads of debt, Denmark allows students to focus on their schooling and not worry about the cost they must pay for an education. On top of that, students who do take out loans can pay them over 15 years at a low interest rate.
3. Iceland
It comes as a surprise to no one that the third country on our list is yet another Nordic country.
Here are a couple of reasons why Iceland made it on this list:
- Low crime levels: Iceland has some of the lowest crime rates in the world and the lowest rate in Europe. For example, the country has had only 40 murders in the last two decades. And in 2021, Iceland had only 150 prisoners. And the safety factor is one of the main reasons this country is so happy.
- Nature: Locals and visitors alike enjoy Iceland’s natural beauty, and it undoubtedly contributes to the overall happiness of this country.
- Healthy Living: It’s no secret that there is a direct correlation between unhealthy living habits and depression. And since Iceland has a reputation for healthy living — with most people eating fish diets and walking a lot — it should come as a surprise to no one to know that this healthy way of life makes Icelandic people happier overall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Nordic Countries so happy?
Though this question cannot be answered in a few words, we know that healthy living, universal healthcare, free education, and an overall work-life balance can make the citizens of a country happier – and Nordic countries have provided just that.
Is the average citizen from a Nordic country happy?
The answer to this question is a fascinating one because Nordic countries view happiness as contentment with life rather than a feeling of joy.
Will Nordic countries continue to be at the top?
These countries continue to change and evolve, but it seems that, yes, happiness is here to stay for Nordic countries.
Finland, Denmark, and Iceland are the happiest countries in the world due to their emphasis on work-life balance, excellent education systems, universal healthcare, free higher education, low crime levels, natural beauty, and healthy living.