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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.