The Happiest Countries in the World for 2024

It’s been more than 10 years since the first-ever World Happiness Report was released in 2012. Since then, the United Nations has released an annual ranking of the world’s happiest countries – the places where the populations are, on average, more content than in other destinations. Over the years, many nations have faced challenges such as multi-year pandemics, natural disasters, and wars. However, the UN and governments worldwide remain committed to understanding what makes people happier to create policies that enhance well-being.

This research, released on Monday, March 20, 2024 (also World Happiness Day), is based on a three-year average of each population’s assessment of their quality of life. It considers six key factors that impact happiness: social support, income, health, freedom, generosity, and the absence of corruption. It also investigates the distribution of happiness within countries, revealing that nations with a smaller “happiness gap” generally experience greater overall happiness.

For the first time, the report has provided separate rankings by age group, examining how happiness ratings differ for individuals under 30 (with Lithuania topping this list) and over 60 (where Denmark is rated as the happiest nation). The study shows that, on average, individuals born before 1965 report higher happiness than those born since 1980. Notably, Millennials’ life evaluations decline with age, whereas Baby Boomers report increasing life satisfaction as they age.

Despite the challenges faced, there are positive takeaways from the results. The study analyzed the impact of the Covid crisis on people’s attitudes towards life, concluding that the pandemic “led to a worldwide increase in the proportion of people who have helped others in need,” significantly enhancing generational benevolence, particularly among Millennials and Generation Z, who show a higher propensity to assist others compared to their predecessors.

What is the Happiest Country in the World?

Once again, Finland has claimed the title of the happiest country in the world for the seventh consecutive year.

Is the UK on the List of the Happiest Countries?

Currently, the UK does not rank within the top 10 happiest countries globally. It stands at number 20, dropping one place from its 19th position in 2023. It trails behind Ireland (17th), Canada (15th), Costa Rica (12th), and New Zealand (11th).

How Does the Study Work?

The World Happiness Report is based on self-reported happiness levels, utilizing the Cantril Scale. Respondents place themselves on a ladder of self-satisfaction, where the top (10) represents the happiest state and the bottom (0) signifies the least happy. The report measures various factors that may correlate with the differences in average happiness across countries. While experts emphasize the six key factors previously mentioned, it is important to remember that the rankings rely on individuals’ input at a specific time, which may not fully encompass broader cultural, political, or societal influences.

The Top Three Happiest Countries in the World for 2024