The happiest countries in the world in 2024 are countries with happy residents. In this time of our own era, we may feel that it is impossible to regard any country as being happy. Nonetheless, these countries earn this title.
The happiness score used in ranking this country is from the UN-sponsored World Happiness Report. The report is based on average data collected from the assessment of people's happiness, social and economic data.
The score scale is from zero to ten. People's happiness does not depend on wealth, so it is not about being rich countries.
The report highlight factors such as generosity, social support, life expectancy, freedom, and degree of corruption. Since residents here are happy people, it isn't surprising that their life expectancies are high.
Table of contents
Happiest countries in the world 2024: Top 15
- #1. Finland
- #2. Denmark
- #3. Switzerland
- #4. Iceland
- #5. Netherlands
- #6. Norway
- #7. Sweden
- #8. Luxembourg
- #9. New Zealand
- #10. Austria
- #11. Australia
- #12. Israel
- #13. Germany
- #14. Canada
- #15. Ireland
The Happiest Countries in the World
Check out their happiness index score, life expectancy, reasons behind their happiness, their present population, and lots more.
Keep reading!
1. Finland - The Happiest Country in the World
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| Porvoo City, Finland. Image credit: kostiolavi / Pixabay |
Happiness index score: 7.842
Life expectancy: 82.31 years
Population: 5,561,861
For the past five years consecutively, this country has been the happiest country in the world in 2024. There are so many factors that bring this positivity, but few will be mentioned.
Generosity among citizens contributes to this, for example, new mothers in the country do receive 63 different gifts for a child's growth and mothers do not need to buy anything for the next two to three months except diapers.
The government gives new mothers 10 months of maternity leave while fathers receive 9 weeks of paternal leave. This makes parenting easier, and less stressful.
Health care and education are free here and unemployed people are well cared for too. Other factors include freedom, high social trust, low corruption, and a high standard of living.
2. Denmark
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| Copenhagen, Denmark. Image credit: SvitlanaRom / Pixabay |
Happiness index score: 7.62
Life expectancy: 81.26 years
Population: 5,842,309
There are five reasons this country is listed among the happiest countries in the world in 2024. First, it is a peaceful country, it is not a headline-grabbing nation even though, it is a powerful country.
Presently, there are no internal conflicts as well as conflicts against other countries. Secondly, Danes strictly follow rules and their social customs, even at that, they are still liberal and open.
Thirdly, the government here takes proper care of its citizens. Childcare in this country is subsidized, and there is free education too for both Danish students and people from other EU countries.
Paying taxes is easier for Danes as they know it comes with lots of benefits. The fourth point is the work-life balance. People are happy here because they have stable professions and many other opportunities to earn well.
Both employee and employer benefit from the Flexicurity model of work and the standard 37 hours per week. The last point is the local concept called Hygge which is being contented with what you have which results in satisfaction and happiness.
3. Switzerland
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| Image credit: Morgan Thompson / Unsplash |
Happiness index score: 7.571
Life expectancy: 84.11 years
Population: 8,810,143
Citizens here have deep respect for their community, for example, they have this stereotype of being punctual. They have generous welfare and healthcare programs in which this system in Switzerland is one of the world's best.
Their welfare system helps in assisting residents here with health insurance, housing, and basic living costs. Generally, Swiss are generally slim people, this is because, from day one in children's school, they are being taught about the importance of a healthy diet and physical fitness.
The country experiences less corruption, and its GDP per capita is about $58,000. Chocolate is one of the Swiss favorites and according to research, chocolate helps the brain to release dopamine, which can make people happy.
The location of their cities definitely also brings about positivity in the way they are happy, as these cities are located very close to lakes. Mere looking at nature relieves stress.
See also:
4. Iceland
Happiness index score: 7.554
Life expectancy: 83.37 years
Population: 376,248
Icelanders are genuinely kind people, tough and resilient. Even though the country has harsh weather and long winter, which possess different challenges, they are optimistic and cheerful people.
For this, for a very long time, they have been listed among the happiest countries in the world in 2024. It is not a big country as regards population as they are sparsely populated but they considered themselves as one big family.
They are often distantly related to one another, with this government here has a special resource in which citizens can double check to ensure they are not related to the person they are dating.
Icelanders have a measure of trust in their governments as there are transparency and justice. Another major reason that contributed to their happiness is that the crime rate here is extremely low.
Another important factor is the natural beauty that surrounds the country, just seeing this beauty around you, will surely relieve you of stress.
Iceland is made up of spectacular landscapes, volcanoes, glaciers, and magnificent fjords. Other factors include good health, quality education, and being busy.
5. Netherlands
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| HelenJank / Pixabay |
Happiness index score: 7.464
Life expectancy: 82.49 years
Population: 17,227,997
One of the reasons residents here are happy is that there is a low crime rate. Everyone feels a measure of safety, and everywhere is well maintained.
This country performs well as regards generosity. Citizens support each other socially which brings about positive mental health and well-being. Residents here are also satisfied with their employment.
Governments here are less corrupt. Residents are able to bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic quickly because of its sustainable energy schemes, collaborations in healthcare, access to healthcare, digital skills, and flexible working arrangements.
All this brings about a quality of life and makes this country rank among the top 10 happiest countries in the world in 2023.
6. Norway
Happiness index score: 7.392
Life expectancy: 82.79 years
Population: 5,525,522
Six years ago, it is the number one happiest country and in 2024, it is still certainly one of the happiest countries in the world.
The country is surrounded by raw natural beauty with this, there are so many great outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, running, and spending time in mountain cabins.
And of course, skiing is also a great activity here, in fact, it originates in this country. There is a common saying that “Norwegians are born with skis on their feet,” this is because Norwegians naturally love it.
These activities around beautiful natural places help ease stress and eventually, people will be happy. There is a low crime rate here too compared to largely populated countries such as the USA.
Working condition here is favorable and getting fired is difficult, so it is hard for people to feel worried about being fired.
Residents in Norway are happy to pay their taxes because it comes with lots of benefits such as a quality health care system and treatments received at low cost.
7. Sweden
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Happiness index score: 7.363
Life expectancy: 80 years (men) & 84 years (women)
Population: 10,253,820
Many people considered themselves happy here because there is low unemployment, a relatively low crime rate, strong welfare systems, and high societal trust.
Another factor contributing to happiness here is the climate, the country has mild weather because it is influenced by the Gulf stream (A strong ocean current that brings warm water from the Gulf of Mexico into the Atlantic Ocean).
Every citizen has equal access to health care as it is free. It is a pollutant-free country where everyone breathes in the fresh air, as 53% of its land area is forested.
The country is clean as all waste, about 99% is recycled, which also has a positive effect on people here. All these factors bring Sweden to the list of the happiest countries in the world in 2024.
8. Luxembourg
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| Image credit: waldomiguez / Pixabay |
Happiness index score: 7.324
Life expectancy: 82.62 years
Population: 651,014
The country offers an excellent quality of life for both its citizens and other residents. It is among the happiest nations because it has the highest GDP per capita which is important in ranking the happiness of a country.
Residents in this country enjoy freedom, as they freely make choices. People here support each other socially, it is assessed that residents do turn to friends and family in times of need.
People are generous here as there is a large percentage of people that give their money to charities. The country is doing very well except on the ground of corruption, where it ranks lower.
See also:
9. New Zealand
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| Image credit: Nadine_simoner / Pixabay |
Happiness index score: 7.277
Life expectancy: 82.65 years
Population: 5,124,100
According to a survey, this country, has a high score in areas such as people being friendly, high level of safety, political stability, and work balance.
Even though the country may not be always clean, its natural beautiful places are great for outdoor activities. Activities like water sports, skydiving, skiing, hikes, and trails.
While participating and after participating in activities like this, you will hardly feel worried but feel less stressed.
What we took in can also bring happiness, in New Zealand, there are culinary delights such as there are delicious locally-made wines and fresh seafood.
10. Austria
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| Image credit: Joss Woodhead / Unsplash |
Happiness index score: 7.268
Life expectancy: 81.91 years
Population: 9,132,656
It is among the happiest nation in the world in 2024 because the corruption level here is low. People here experience the freedom to make life choices and life expectancy is high here.
Residents support each other socially and they are generous to one another. Even though money is not among the factor used in ranking happy people, they have a high GDP per capita which also brings a great quality of life.
This country also has natural beautiful places around them like pristine lakes, green hills, and fascinating landscapes. Work is enjoyable for an employee here as they receive a good income that sustains them.
11. Australia
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| Image credit: Photoholgic / Unsplash |
Happiness index score: 7.183
Life expectancy: 83.79 years
Population: 25,978,935
On average, rooms per person in this country is 2.3, with this 90% of Australians saying they are satisfied with their current homes.
The majority of Australian households are content with their high levels of disposable income. Residents here spend more time learning.
Besides the fact this country is famous for beaches and sunshine, people here also enjoy air quality. Citizens are safer about issues of homicide and assaults.
Australians have more time for their family and friends and leisure activities, this is because they work few hours per year.
On average, people contend here, which is the reason you will notice them expressing statements like 'no worries' and 'she'll be right'.
See also:
12. Israel
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| Image credit: Shai Pal / Unsplash |
Happiness index score: 7.157
Life expectancy: 83.34 years
Population: 8,988,286
Israeli are happy people and they also lead the healthcare system too. Even though they rank lower when it comes to education and income.
This owing to the fact about the ways Israeli culture has developed to keep Israelis confident in happiness, independent of other aspects like income or educational attainment.
There is Happiness Studies Academy in this country that offers a positive psychology method based on science for achieving and maintaining happiness. The Happiness Studies offers advice on how to prioritize your goals for happiness and fulfillment.
We all experience instances when we stray off course because life can be sometimes chaotic and difficult thing. The study of happiness in this country aids give actionable advice that one may rely on.
Each person is being taught about the fact that, individually, we have an impact on the entire planet, therefore the better way to affect the world is by improving oneself.
13. Germany
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| Neuschwanstein Castle. Image credit: Lilen23 |
Happiness index score: 7.155
Life expectancy: 81.72 years
Population: 84,442,033
While examining citizens in this Germany, they are among the happiest country in the world in 2024 because they perform well in better life evaluations.
According to an interview, when ask if they considered themselves a happy person, 9 out of 10 answered, yes.
Citizens in this country are financially and socially stable which has a major positive impact on their happiness. During the COVID-19 pandemic, residents here are happy with the government's response.
Even at that, their good mood is not solely based on those factors as the country is experiencing more gap between the rich and the poor, yet they are financially stable.
14. Canada
Happiness index score: 7.103
Life expectancy: 82.81 years
Population: 38,555,354
One of the reasons this country is among the happiest countries in the world in 2024 is that people here experience the highest standards of living.
It is a big country to live in with a large space. There is no poverty and there is no war. The crime rate is low, cultures and religions are tolerated by others. People here are diverse, with multicultural.
There are spectacular landscapes and other natural beautiful places that you can visit and will surely bring smiles to your face. And for these reasons, many people are migrating to this country.
See also:
15. Ireland
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| Image credit: Matheus Câmara da Silva / Unsplash |
Happiness index score: 7.085
Life expectancy: 82.66 years
Population: 5,073,347
People are generally happy in Ireland, they are famous for their sense of humor and friendly. People focus on positivity than negativity here.
Work-life balance in this country is remarkable in that only 5% of the population work very long hours. Residents here have the opportunity to spend quality time with their friends and family and also they have time for themselves.
According to a survey conducted, 83% of residents are very satisfied with the amount of time used for leisure and many people also say they are happy with the work they do. It is one of the safest countries.
About 6 years ago, employees here rank the 4th happiest in the world. Moreover, healthcare services in this country are totally free, so citizens are not worried about paying bills and this also makes them take care of their health seriously.
Ireland is a relatively safe place to live, with a low crime rate and no anxiety about any natural disaster, the geographical location is situated is favorable. Even though people experience lots of rainfall, but the climatic condition is mild, it is not too hot or too cold.
What are your thoughts about the happiest countries in the world in 2024? We will like to hear from you in the comments section below (Post a comment). Please share this article by hitting any of the share buttons and you may follow us at our social media handles. Thanks for reading!
I wish I can live in any of these countries.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading about the happiest countries in the world.
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