World Happiness Report 2024: Finland leads; India's rank?

Finland has once again clinched the top spot as the world's happiest country for the seventh consecutive year, as per the latest UN-sponsored World Happiness Report revealed today. The report indicates that Nordic nations continue their dominance in the top rankings, with Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden closely trailing behind Finland. Meanwhile, Afghanistan remains entrenched at the bottom of the list among 143 surveyed countries, grappling with ongoing humanitarian crises following the resurgence of the Taliban in 2020.

This year's report showcases a significant shift as the United States and Germany slide out of the top 20 happiest nations, landing at the 23rd and 24th positions, respectively. In contrast, Costa Rica and Kuwait have managed to break into the top 20, securing the 12th and 13th positions.

Of particular note is the absence of any of the world's largest nations among the happiest countries. Only the Netherlands and Australia, both with populations exceeding 15 million, are within the top 10, while Canada and the UK, with populations over 30 million, find themselves within the top 20.

Changes in happiness levels since 2006-2010 have been noteworthy, with Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Jordan witnessing significant declines, while Eastern European countries like Serbia, Bulgaria, and Latvia have experienced notable changes. The happiness ranking considers individuals' self-assessed evaluations of life satisfaction, alongside factors such as GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and corruption.

Jennifer De Paola, a happiness researcher at the University of Helsinki, attributes Finland's high life satisfaction to the strong connection to nature and a healthy work-life balance among Finns. She emphasizes that Finns prioritize aspects beyond financial gain, benefiting from a robust welfare society, trust in government institutions, low corruption levels, and universal healthcare and education.

The report also reveals a pattern where younger cohorts typically express greater levels of happiness compared to older demographics, with exceptions observed in North America, Australia, and New Zealand, where youth happiness has dwindled since 2006-2010. However, central and eastern Europe have seen an uptick in happiness across all age brackets during this timeframe, while Western Europe maintains steady happiness levels across generations. The report raises concerns regarding the escalating disparity in happiness worldwide, particularly among older individuals and in Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting discrepancies in income, education, healthcare, and social support systems.

Regarding India, it maintained its position at 126, akin to the previous year, in the happiness index. Numerous factors, including marital status, social interaction, and physical well-being, impact the life contentment of elderly Indians. Nonetheless, discontentment with living conditions emerges as a crucial aspect, indicating the preference of older Indians to age in familiar surroundings while upholding independence and social connections. India holds the second position globally in terms of its elderly population, with 140 million individuals aged 60 and above, trailing only China. While this demographic shift signifies advancements in social and economic spheres, understanding the factors that impact the quality of life during old age remains paramount. Among older Indians, men in higher age brackets and with educational attainment often express higher levels of life satisfaction. In contrast, older Indian women, despite encountering more stressors and health-related challenges, tend to report greater life satisfaction compared to men.

March 20, 2024 5:09 p.m. 7640

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