Finland Tops World Happiness Report for Eighth Year

Finland has once again secured its position as the happiest country in the world, marking its eighth consecutive year at the top of the World Happiness Report. The report, released on the International Day of Happiness, highlights Finland’s strong social support systems, trust in institutions, and access to nature as key factors contributing to its high ranking.

Aino Virolainen, a digital commerce director who has lived abroad, expressed her love for Finland’s peaceful environment and trustworthiness, stating, “This is where I always want to come back to and where I want to grow my kids and grow old myself”.

The report emphasizes that happiness is not solely about wealth or growth but also about trust, connection, and social support. Factors such as sharing meals with others and having a supportive network are crucial for happiness.

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Meanwhile, Nigeria has dropped to the 105th position globally but remains the 10th happiest country in Africa. The United States has fallen to its lowest-ever position at 24th.

The World Happiness Report is a collaboration between Gallup, the U.N. Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, evaluating happiness across over 140 countries.