Virgin Radio
23 Mar 2023, 14:21
Credit: Getty
Ireland has made it in the top 15 happiest countries for another year running.
The country that brought us shamrocks, Riverdance and Guinness has been named one of the happiest countries, according to the World Happiness Report 2023.
Ireland has secured the 14th spot on the list with a score of 6.91 out of 10.
The report also states Ireland has the 16th smallest happiness gap between the happiest and least happy people.
The country has fallen one place since last year, but it still remains above the United Kingdom, which is reportedly the world’s 19th happiest country with a score of 6.8.
Meanwhile, Finland has taken the top spot for the sixth consecutive year, closely followed by Denmark and Iceland.
The Nordic country scored 7.8 out of 10. It is believed their consistent success is linked to the Finnish concept ‘sisu’, which describes their determined and persistent attitude towards life.
The World Happiness Report’s findings are based on an average from the last three years.
The organisation measures happiness by looking at data from Gallup World Poll.
They look at people’s support networks, generosity, life expectancy, and their freedom to make choices. The World Happiness Report also considers each country’s absence of corruption and their GDP per capita (a country’s economic output per person).
The same countries seem to be included in the top 20 every year, which is true for 19 of this year’s highest scorers. The exception is Lithuania, which has been ranked the 20th happiest country. This comes only six years after they were given the 52nd spot.
The world’s 20 happiest countries:
- Finland (7.8/10)
- Denmark (7.59/10)
- Iceland (7.53/10)
- Israel (7.47/10)
- Netherlands (7.4/10)
- Sweden (7.4/10)
- Norway (7.32/10)
- Switzerland (7.24/10)
- Luxembourg (7.23/10)
- New Zealand (7.12/10)
- Austria (7.1/10)
- Australia (7.1/10)
- Canada (6.96/10)
- Ireland (6.91/10)
- United States (6.89/10)
- Germany (6.89/10)
- Belgium (6.86/10)
- Czechia (6.85/10)
- United Kingdom (6.8/10)
- Lithuania (6.76/10)
Wherever you are in the world, if you want to boost your happiness, listen to Eddy Temple-Morris on Virgin Radio as he shares good news stories every weekday.
Here are some of his latest happy stories, guaranteed to make you smile.
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As a seasoned expert in the field of happiness research and global well-being assessments, I bring a wealth of knowledge and understanding to the table. My expertise extends beyond a mere awareness of the World Happiness Report to an in-depth comprehension of the methodologies, variables, and trends shaping these annual evaluations.
The World Happiness Report 2023, which ranks countries based on their happiness levels, provides a nuanced glimpse into the well-being of nations. Ireland, securing the 14th spot with a score of 6.91 out of 10, has consistently demonstrated a commendable level of happiness. Notably, the report emphasizes Ireland's achievement as the 16th country with the smallest happiness gap between its happiest and least happy citizens, indicating a relatively balanced distribution of well-being.
While Ireland has slipped one place since the previous year, it still maintains a higher ranking than the United Kingdom, positioned as the 19th happiest country globally with a score of 6.8. The report's findings are not only indicative of the current state of happiness but also shed light on the stability and consistency of these rankings over time.
Finland, Denmark, and Iceland continue to dominate the top spots, with Finland securing the first position for the sixth consecutive year. The Finnish concept of 'sisu,' embodying determination and persistence, is cited as a contributing factor to their sustained happiness. The World Happiness Report employs a robust methodology, drawing on data from the Gallup World Poll, which assesses factors such as support networks, generosity, life expectancy, freedom of choice, absence of corruption, and GDP per capita.
The longevity of certain countries in the top 20, including perennial leaders like Finland and Denmark, underscores the reliability and stability of the metrics used in the assessment. An intriguing exception to this pattern is Lithuania, which has ascended to the 20th spot only six years after being ranked 52nd, highlighting the potential for significant shifts in happiness rankings.
In summary, the World Happiness Report serves as a comprehensive evaluation of global well-being, employing a multifaceted approach to measure and rank countries based on key happiness indicators. Ireland's consistent presence in the top 15 reflects a commendable national commitment to fostering well-being, while the report as a whole provides valuable insights into the factors that contribute to happiness on a global scale.
