It may seem as though the world is in chaos, but there are still many reasons to be happy. That is proven by the 2023 edition of the World Happiness Report.
Each year, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network publishes a report based on data from 137 countries. Citizens are asked to rate themselves from 0-10 based on their level of happiness. Six factors are taken into account: social support, income, health, freedom, generosity, and absence of corruption.
“This year’s report features many interesting insights,” says Professor Lara Aknin, one of the authors of the report. “One that I find particularly interesting and heartening has to do with pro-sociality. For a second year, we see that various forms of everyday kindness, such as helping a stranger, donating to charity, and volunteering, are above pre-pandemic levels. Acts of kindness have been shown to both lead to and stem from greater happiness.”
For the 6th year in a row, Finland has been recognized as the happiest country in the world. With a rating of 7.8, the nation ranks high when it comes to generosity, income, freedom of choice, and life expectancy.
In contrast, Afghanistan, which is currently under Taliban rule, came in last place with a rating of only 1.8.
These are the Top 20 Happiest Countries in 2023:
- Finland
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Israel
- The Netherlands
- Sweden
- Norway
- Switzerland
- Luxembourg
- New Zealand
- Austria
- Australia
- Canada
- Ireland
- United States
- Germany
- Belgium
- Czechia
- United Kingdom
- Lithuania