Wish You Were Here: Visit 15 of the World’s Happiest Countries
Can you measure happiness? And to what extent does the location we live in affect our mood? The World Happiness Report tries to determine the world’s happiest countries every year. It analyzes life expectancy, social support, freedom of choice, population generosity, perceptions of corruption, and GDP per capita.
Now, without further ado, here are the countries ranked highest in happiness according to the report’s most recent findings.
1. Finland
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This Scandinavian nation has been hailed the happiest country in the world for six years in a row. Very impressive, so what’s their secret? The Finns believe happiness is a skill that can be mastered. They also have highly positive feelings when it comes to community support.
2. Denmark
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It isn’t all too surprising that Denmark ranks next best. Nordic neighbors to the Finnish, the hygge-obsessed Danes feel equally content. Their economy is strong, they trust their government, and feelings of generosity appear to be widespread.
3. Switzerland
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Generally, the Swiss population is content and healthy, with a long life expectancy and one of the lowest obesity rates in the world. Salaries and living standards are also very high, as is the sense of community.
4. Iceland
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Iceland ranks highest in the category of social support. Alongside Denmark and Switzerland, it is also one of the safest countries in the world. Hardly surprising – the island is almost too beautiful to want to commit a crime.
5. Netherlands
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This tulip-loving nation displays “an impressive lack of perceived corruption.” In return, the population has legal access to concoctions that those in other countries do not, proving that mutual trust goes a long way.
6. Norway
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Thanks to initiatives like free college tuition and universal healthcare, Norwegians feel supported by their government. They also boast a low crime rate, a strong sense of community, and a desirable work-life balance.
7. Sweden
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Sweden ranks highly in all categories like its Scandinavian siblings, and hosts a very content population. Only a 0.5-point difference stands between first and seventh place, showing barely any contrast in the overall score.
8. Luxembourg
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Squished between Belgium, Germany, and France, this tiny nation proves you don’t have to be sizable to be happy. With just over 650,000 permanent residents, the sense of community must be strong.
9. New Zealand
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This content island nation prioritizes democracy and egalitarianism (the belief that we are all equal). Indeed, ongoing efforts continue to keep the Maori culture alive and thriving; this indigenous heritage remains integral to their national identity today.
10. Austria
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Austria is another country that continues to rank well. Nabbing the last spot in the top 10, it has a promising GDP and life expectancy. The people are generous to each other, and there’s a ton of history, art and culture to rejoice in.
11. Australia
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The island continent of Australia just misses out on the top 10, but that’s probably not enough to ruin the mood down under. The general vibe there is easygoing. From my experience with Australians, they’re always super friendly and laid back.
12. Israel
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Enfranchisement among Israelis is undoubtedly present. The population enjoys more liberties than most, proving that freedom of choice and perceived autonomy are integral to happiness.
13. Germany
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Germany may have a troublesome past, but its current state shows that one can learn from history. Nowadays, the culture is quite liberal. Meanwhile, the youth tend to be confident, passionate and value freedom of choice.
14. Canada
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Canadians are known for their niceness. Any country with a population this pleasant must be doing something right. Overall, the nation displays satisfaction. Perhaps it’s all that pristine nature. It must work wonders for the soul.
15. Ireland
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Whenever I think of Irish people, it conjures a bubbly vibe. Generally, the population lives a peaceful existence. The nation values its autonomy, and overall public health ranks higher than the global average.
No Second Chance: 15 Travel Destinations Around the World That “Failed To Impress”
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There’s nothing worse than being psyched up for a trip only to be let down when you get there. These are 15 travel destinations around the world that failed to impress the travelers who visited.
No Second Chance: 15 Travel Destinations Around the World That “Failed To Impress”
15 Travels Destinations “So Difficult” To Visit They’re Worthy of Your Bucket List
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Sometimes, you have to “risk it for the biscuit” (as we say in South Africa) which travelers often do to get to a beautiful or bucket-list destination. These 15 off-the-beaten-track destinations are so challenging to get to that it’s an achievement when you reach them.
15 Travels Destinations “So Difficult” To Visit They’re Worthy of Your Bucket List
20 Most Dangerous Countries in the World Americans Should Avoid in 2023
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Wanderlust may take you all over the world, but some countries are too dangerous to visit, and knowing which are best avoided in 2023 could keep you safe.
Let’s take a closer look at a list of the most dangerous countries in the world based on data from the World Population Review.
20 Most Dangerous Countries in the World Americans Should Avoid in 2023
15 Countries That Serve up the BEST Street Food Experiences
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There’s something about the vibrance of street food, the richness in flavor, and the rawness of surrounding cultural scenes. Not only is street food more affordable for travelers, but it grants a more authentic experience since this is where natives also gather and convene.
With that said, here are 15 countries serving up the best street food experiences, as voted on by an online foodie forum.
15 Countries That Serve up the BEST Street Food Experiences
15 Incredible Places in the U.S. You Might Not Have Realized Were UNESCO Sites
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There’s nothing better than discovering there’s even more to a place than you thought. Whether you know it or not, these 15 incredible places in the U.S. are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and all worth visiting.
15 Incredible Places in the U.S. You Might Not Have Realized Were UNESCO Sites
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