by Yasmine Lawson
World’s Happiest Country: Finland
If I asked you to picture the happiest place on earth, many of you would picture the same thing. You would think that the happiest country in the world is full of sunshine, tropical weather, and beaches, but if you’ve been to Finland you know different. Conclusion, world’s happiest country: Finland.
Every year the United Nations publishes a World Happiness Report. In this, Finland and its neighboring Nordic countries are consistently listed within the top 10 slots. That led to my learning that Finland is not only the number one happiest country in the world (Helliwell et al.), but they’ve been on top for four years in a row! Here are some interesting things about the world’s happiest country.
Finland, where wintertime is long and dark, is a scenic forest wonderland. But their happiness is measured on a scale beyond the weather.
Why So Happy?
According to Frank Martela, a key researcher and expert on happiness of nations, Finland’s happiness lies in their mindset and trust in their institutions. For example, A third of Finnish prisons operate as “open,” allowing inmates to leave the facility for work or school. A concept I haven’t heard of until this moment!
Finnish happiness extends beyond a smile, some dance moves in the kitchen, or any other outward expression. It’s about the quality of life and the internal feelings of happiness. What concerns their happiness is questions like do you feel safe? Do you have choices? Can you spend time with your family? Can you control your life?
“… Nordic citizens experience a high sense of autonomy and freedom, as well as high levels of social trust towards each other, which play an important role in determining life satisfaction,” a report done by a team of Nordic scholars, including Martela, said. World Happiness researchers further explain that “trust and cooperative social norms not only facilitate rapid and cooperative responses, which themselves improve the happiness of citizens, but also demonstrate to people the extent to which others are prepared to do benevolent acts for them” (2020 World Happiness Report Ch. 7).
Proof Is In The Pudding
There are many studies centering around the country and their unique title that can help us reflect on our own lives and measurements of happiness. If you’re in the mood for an introspective travel experience, a trip to Finland wouldn’t hurt!
Sources:
Helliwell, J. F., Layard, R., Sachs, J. D., De Neve, J.-E., Aknin, L. B., & Wang, S. (Eds.). (2022). World Happiness Report 2022. New York: Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
Are you interested in visiting the happiest country, Finland? Reach out below and start the conversation. I would love to assist with a happy vacation for you.
