Do you ever wonder why some people have so much to smile about while others struggle with everything in life? Yes. Some people indeed seem to be happier than others. However, the country you reside in plays a crucial role in deciding your happiness. According to the World Happiness Reports, the general wellbeing of people varies from one country to another. If you are ready to discover the top happiest countries in the world and the least happy ones (or the saddest), keep reading. The knowledge might help you in multiple ways.
World Happiness Report
For the last 10 years (from 2012, except for 2014), United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network regularly published the World Happiness Report, ranking member countries based on their national happiness. The report is prepared mainly based on the data collected by the Gallup World Poll. Besides ranking member countries, the report also contains several articles on citizens' happiness, overall wellbeing, global happiness trends, and challenges. Experts from different fields like psychology, economics, statistics, and survey design come together to prepare these annual reports. Happiness is a subjective concept. So, the World Happiness Report tries to measure happiness based on respondents' self-evaluation of their own wellbeing.
Currently, the variables used in preparing the international happiness ranking belong to the following categories -
Real per capita GDP
Healthy life expectancy
Social support
Freedom to make individual life choices
Generosity
Corruption perception
What are the objectives behind preparing the World Happiness Report?
The primary official objectives behind the publication of the report are,
Guiding the policy-making process of member countries is one of the primary goals of the World Happiness Report. The United Nations intends to make Gross National Happiness as necessary as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for measuring a country's economic success. Without considering happiness, economic growth can suffer the risk of inequality and inaccessibility for the general population of any country.
Identifying global trends in human happiness is also an important consideration behind the report's publication. It helps to address problems with global implications from a global perspective and channelize resources across economies effectively and efficiently. In recent years, the global pandemic COVID has been identified as a significant cause of concern for the worldwide decline in happiness and wellbeing across countries as the pandemic has "shaken, taken, and reshaped lives everywhere".
Building awareness about the importance of happiness is also an essential objective as it helps educate citizens and other civil society stakeholders to strive for holistic wellbeing.
How can you, as an individual, utilise global happiness ranking?
The world is a diverse place, which is both its greatest strength and worst weakness. This diversity emerges from differences in cultures, access to participate in economic progress, modern lifestyle, healthcare and capability to build personal wealth. So, it is not easy to label a country as one of the saddest places on earth or declare a country as one of the happiest among others. Take the example of the United States. We consider it as one of the best destinations for work and study. However, it stands 19th in the global happiness index.
So, for the sake of proactive comparison and knowing a little more about the world around us, The United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network takes all the necessary statistical measures for preparing the ranking. As an individual, you can utilise the World Happiness Report for several purposes.
Choosing your future career and business destination - Geographic boundaries are fading as the world is increasingly becoming a global village. Our life is no longer limited to the opportunities available in the countries we were born in; you can look out for lucrative work opportunities in countries ranking higher on the happiness index. It can help you to start over and build your and your family's future. Besides, as an entrepreneur, you can ideate business opportunities suitable to these countries.
Deciding vacation destinations for diverse experiences - Even if you are not considering shifting permanently, having a better idea of the world happiness index may help you choose your next vacation destination easily. After all, experiencing global diversity may prepare you to become a better human being.
Embracing notions of happiness in your own life - Understanding factors that help people become happy may guide you to work towards holistic happiness in your own life. Happiness does not necessarily emerge from material wealth; at least, that is what the world happiness report tells us.
Making your own life more meaningful - Throughout our life, we often spend our energy on making our life prosperous while overlooking the true meaning of life. Better awareness about human happiness can help make our lives more meaningful in a global sense.
The top 10 happiest countries in the world 2022
Finland
Denmark
Iceland
Netherlands
Norway
Sweden
Luxembourg
Austria
Finland
This country, with a population of over 55 lakhs ranks first in the global happiness report with a happiness value of 7.842, and it has maintained its first position since 2018. The official languages are Finnish and Swedish. The major industries are shipbuilding, metalworking, automotive, engineering, and electronics. One of the prominent electronics brands that originated in Finland is Nokia. Economic growth is primarily attributed to export-based industrial activities. Tourism is another significant contributor to the economic development of the country.
Denmark
The happiness index value of Denmark was 7.62 in the 2021 World Happiness Report. It is a Nordic country with a population of around 58 lakhs; the official language is Danish. Its major industries are pharmaceuticals, medical equipment manufacturing, machinery, food processing and construction. The country offers one of the freest labour markets among European countries combined with extensive government-backed welfare provisions. Hence, workers' interests are always protected.
Switzerland
It is not surprising that Switzerland ranks high on the happiness report; the country is a global tourism aspiration. However, there are more than picturesque towns, mountains, valleys, and skiing destinations in the country. If you are interested in it other than as a vacation destination, Switzerland has a very flexible job market with a very low unemployment rate. The top world-class hotel management institutions are in Switzerland, as well as universities in science, technologies and business management. Banking and finance, precision manufacturing, and engineering are some of the prominent contributors to the Swiss economy, along with tourism. The country is also a frontrunner in renewable energy research and production. There are four official languages in Switzerland - Germany, French, Italy and Romansh.
Iceland
Iceland is a country with an efficient business environment, low corporate tax, tariff-free access to European markets and the availability of educated, skilled workforce. It stands high on the happiness index owing to fresh air, quality water, high per capita income, security and safety, social equity, and reliable public administration. However, being a sparsely populated country, you may not always enjoy social interactions as many of us are used to in the subcontinent. Iceland has a high demand for skilled, educated workforces in sectors like ecotourism, education, mining, fisheries and agriculture.
Netherlands
Netherlands (informally Holland) is a small and prosperous European country renowned for its open society, high standard of education, science and technological innovations and steady economy. People of Netherlands are non-native English speakers, so, for Asians, it is easy to settle in and roam around the country without having to learn a new foreign language. Quality healthcare is affordable, unlike in many other countries like the USA. You can consider looking for study and work opportunities in the country if you are interested in industries like information technology, industrial design, arts & creativity, aerospace engineering, renewable energy, life science and high-tech agriculture. Netherlands can be an excellent place to start a new business as the country offers start-up visa schemes for people with an entrepreneurial mindset.
Norway
Norway has a large English-speaking population, beautiful places, family-friendly public policies, free high-quality healthcare, opportunity to work and grow, and a multicultural population. So, the country is a fabulous destination for work and business opportunities. Traditionally, Norway is known for its petroleum, natural gas, mining and paper industries; however, the Norwegian government actively promotes new progressive sectors like IT, renewable energy innovations and high-tech manufacturing. As a result, the demand for a skilled workforce is also growing in the country.
Sweden
Some of the top reasons for living and vacationing in Sweden are the country's scenic beauty, excellent work culture, availability of modern amenities, freedom of expression, gender equality, quality healthcare infrastructure, environment-friendly public life, multicultural and multilingual population, citizen safety and security. However, housing and private education can be expensive for people immigrating to Sweden. Besides, you need work permits to live in Sweden if you are not a student.
Luxembourg
It is a small landlocked European Union member country; with a high per capita income, living standard and business environment. Major industries are investment banking, trading, high tech innovation-oriented activities and reinsurance. The country is famous as a tax haven in Europe. One of the best advantages of living in Luxembourg is EU-standard rights, freedom of movement across Europe and other developed countries, and professional opportunities for people with specific skill sets in banking, finance, tax and reinsurance. However, it is not easy to get Luxembourg citizenship. You need to have five years of legal residence in the country and one year of uninterrupted living. And for that, you will need a verified work permit. Getting a work permit might be a little easier if you have studied and completed a high education program from a Luxembourg institute. Otherwise, you can always consider opening your own business.
New Zealand
New Zealand is a new attractive destination for its excellent healthcare facility, senior-friendly public infrastructure, multicultural friendly population, vast open wilderness, world-standard education facilities and steadily growing economy. People looking to live in seclusion, away from bustling crowds, can always choose New Zealand. Work opportunities for people from diverse professional fields are also growing in the country. Major industries providing new job opportunities are education, healthcare, manufacturing, forestry and mining. The New Zealand government regularly encourages skilled working-age professionals from countries like India to work and settle there.
Austria
The country is traditionally a high-income economy maintaining political neutrality with the rest of the world. High salaries, good workplace conditions, income tax benefits, social security, high standard of living are some of the major attractions of Austria among working professionals and entrepreneurs. Significant job opportunities are in education, accounting, business process management, marketing and project management; the country also has a strong start-up economy. The service sector is especially burgeoning.
The top 10 Saddest (least happy, to be precise) countries in the world
These are countries ranking from the bottom of the happiness index in the Global Happiness Report, usually due to political conflicts, poor living conditions, lack of facilities, struggling economy etc. It might not be anyone's aspiration to work, live or settle in these places. However, it is important to be aware.
The top saddest countries in the world:
Afghanistan
South Sudan
Zimbabwe
Rwanda
The Central African Republic
Tanzania
Syria
Botswana
Yemen
Malawi
The significant reasons behind low happiness scores of the saddest countries in the world are,
Low per capita GDP
Low life expectancy
Insufficient public healthcare facility
Lack of freedom of choice in social and political space
High levels of corruption
However, the saddest countries in the world or those that rank low on the happiness index might not be the worst place to live; take the example of India. Despite being the largest electoral democracy, over 3.5 trillion US dollar economy and the second-largest populated country, India scores 144th on the happiness list of 153 countries. However, for many Indians (rich and poor), living in the country is not a matter of distress.
Finally
Are you interested in settling in another country? Or maybe you are wondering which one to explore next. The Happiness Report can provide a significant clue to the most suitable destinations. In case you thrive under challenges, you might try vacationing or finding work opportunities in the least happy countries and gathering fruitful life experiences from people surviving in the harshest living conditions. After all, every situation has something to tell and teach us. Otherwise, you have the option to head to one of the top happiest countries in the world and begin a new and brighter life.
