For the eighth consecutive year running, Finland has topped the charts for the United Nations World Happiness Report, with the nation’s 'social support' ranked at 96.6 per cent.
Ireland came in at #15 on the list, while the UK is listed at #23, and the US at #24. You can see the top 20 below and find the full list here.
- Finland
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Sweden
- Neterlands
- Costa Rica
- Norway
- Israel
- Luxembourg
- Mexico
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Switzerland
- Belgium
- Ireland
- Lithuania
- Austria
- Canada
- Slovenia
- Czechia
The happiest nation
Part of Finland's success is credited to their obsession with going to the sauna. Almost 90 per cent of Finns bathe in a sauna at least once a week – an activity that’s considered good for both physical and mental health. Friends and family gather in these safe spaces to chat about life. Historically, they were even used as a place for women giving birth.
"The best sauna experience is combined with a dip to a lake or the sea or even into the snow," recommends Taina Snellman-Langenskiöld, co-owner of boutique hotel and retreat Billnäs Gård outside Helsinki, who also notes the country’s strong connection to nature.
In a country where almost 75 per cent of the land is covered with trees (a higher density than anywhere in Europe), a tiny population of 5.6 million people has easy access to green space – and lots of it.
Key findings
This year's report focused on the impact of caring and sharing on people's happiness. In good news, key findings revealed that people are generally "much too pessimistic" about the benevolence of others.
The reality being that, tor example, when wallets were dropped in the street by researchers, the proportion of returned wallets was far higher than people expected.
This is important to know as, according to the researchers, our wellbeing depends on our perceptions
of others' benevolence, as well as their actual benevolence.
As the report states: "When society is more benevolent, the people who benefit most are those who are least happy. As a result, happiness is more equally distributed in countries with higher levels of expected benevolence."
During the COVID 19 pandemic, researchers say that countries across the world had a 'benevolance bump'. Even better, they believe that bump has been sustained, now remaining higher than pre-pandemic levels.
As well as returning wallets, the report found other key actions essential to wellbeing such as eating with others ("the increasing number of people who eat alone is one reason for declining wellbeing in the United States"), and harmonious family units ("happiness rises with household size up to four people, but above that happiness declines").
Worryingly, it seems that increased lonliness can be found among young people evident among young people. In 2023, 19 per cent of young adults across the world reported having no one that they could count on for social support, however, the report says that many young adults underestimate their peers' empathy.
When it comes to giving money to others, the report found that some charities are much more impactful than others, in terms of the happiness they create per dollar.
"Research has found that people are not effective givers due to: (A) information, they don't know how or where to give effectively, and (B) motivation, they prefer to support causes they are attached to, even if this would have less impact."
As a rule of thumb, the right amount to give is the largest amount that you can sustain.
You can read the full report here.
Visit Finland
If you're planning to tap into Finland’s happy culture, check out these spots on your next trip:
Sauna at…
Built in 1906, Rajaportti Sauna in Pispala, Tampere, is the oldest public sauna in Finland. "It’s like a little piece of heaven on earth," says sauna guide Alex Lembke whose job is to heat it every day. "A sauna is a place where you can reconnect to nature and feel the best of everything: the purifying power of fire and the warmth of the flames, the earthiness of the stones, air and the coolness of the water."
Party at…
Bringing quality dance music to the Nordics for 20 years, FLOW festival has become one of Europe’s best festivals mixing great performers with good food. This year’s event will be held from August 8-10 at Suvilahti in Helsinki, with headliners including FKA Twigs, Underworld and Charli XCX. A three-day pass costs from €269.
Relax at…
There are an impressive 188,000 lakes in Finland. One of the largest in Europe, Lake Saimaa is perfect for paddles, sauna sessions and seal spotting. Base yourself at Kuru Resort, an adults-only retreat hidden in a pine forest close to the town of Mikkeli.
