Finland has secured its position as the world’s happiest country for the seventh consecutive year, according to the World Happiness Report 2024. This achievement marks Finland’s consistent dominance in global happiness rankings, highlighting factors like social support, life expectancy, GDP per capita, and freedom to make life choices.
On the other hand, India finds itself at the 126th spot out of 143 nations in the global happiness index. The report emphasizes that older age in India is linked with higher life satisfaction, revealing insights into the diverse factors influencing happiness levels across different demographics.
The top 10 happiest countries, besides Finland, include Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Israel, Netherlands, Norway, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Australia. Meanwhile, India’s ranking places it below countries like Libya, Iraq, Palestine, and Niger, showcasing the varied experiences of happiness and well-being globally.
The World Happiness Report is a collaborative effort by Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and the WHR’s Editorial Board. It provides a comprehensive assessment of happiness levels based on a range of socio-economic indicators.
In India, the report notes that the young population tends to exhibit higher happiness levels compared to those in the “lower middle” category. Additionally, it highlights disparities in life satisfaction based on education levels, social castes, and living arrangements among older adults.
Notably, the United States has slipped out of the top 20 happiest nations for the first time since the report’s inception in 2012, reflecting shifts in well-being patterns, especially among younger Americans.
While Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the happiness rankings, Pakistan occupies the 108th position. The report’s analysis of India’s older population, which is the second-largest globally, underscores the importance of factors like family networks, living arrangements, and social support in determining well-being among older adults.
Serbia and Bulgaria stand out for significant increases in life evaluation scores, indicating positive trends in happiness levels over the years. The report’s inclusion of separate rankings by age group sheds light on the diverse nuances of happiness experiences across different generations, with Lithuania topping the list for children and young people, and Denmark emerging as the happiest nation for individuals aged 60 and above.
Sources By Agencies
