The World’s Happiest Countries: What Makes Them So Happy?

Every year, I review the annual list of the world’s happiest countries from the perspective of travel.  Surely, there are blissful travel experiences to be found in the countries that top the happiness list.

But, once again this year, it’s different.

The 2021 World Happiness Report has been released after a decidedly unhappy year.

Prepared by leading happiness experts (yes, they exist!), the report ranks 156 countries on a scale of bliss.

How do they measure happiness?  Basically, they ask people how happy they are.  The questions cover topics that support well-being, such as income, trust in the system, freedom to make life decisions, healthy life expectancy, social support and generosity.

This year, the report also looked at the impact of the pandemic on subjective well being.

Surprisingly, there was no decline in how people evaluated their feeling of well-being.  The researchers suggest there may be a greater sense of solidarity as everyone faces a common threat.

Why some countries fared better over the past year

The World Happiness Report found that the most important factor that explains why some nations fared better is trust –people’s trust in each other and confidence in their government.

Here are some of the other interesting findings:

• While overall life satisfaction didn’t change much, there was a roughly 10% increase in the number of people who said they were worried or sad the previous day.
• Countries with higher income equality did poorer than those with greater equity.
• Countries that were headed by women did better!

While travel bliss is not yet possible right now, here is a more lighthearted review of the top ten happiest countries in the world.  At some point, we’ll get the chance to go exploring again.

A happy country might be just the place to go!

The World’s Happiest Countries in 2022 – Top Ten:

10.  New Zealand

When you see the scenery in New Zealand, you may want to pause and give it a standing ovation.

And no matter where you go, you’re never far from a beach.

Plus, they produce some delightful wines.  Happy yet?

9.  Israel

8.  Norway

This year’s report ranks Norway in sixth place because it has high levels of mutual trust, shared purpose and good governance. 

Not only that, but there are people who surf in March. 

Known for the hardiness of its people and its sense of community, you may not know that Oslo is also considered to be a gastronomic paradise. Sounds like a happy theme to me.

7.  Sweden

Swedes love nature, coffee, and have a shorter work week than most other countries.

What’s not to like about a country that has a midsummer holiday on the longest day of the year, marked by great food and dancing around a maypole.

Click here to check out how they’ve even turned the subway in Stockholm into a happy place by making it the world’s longest art gallery.

6.  Luxembourg

A newcomer to the top ten rankings last year, Luxembourg is the world’s only remaining Grand Duchy (a state ruled by a grand duke or duchess).

This small country scores high for its economic strength.  Luxembourgers also appreciate its wealth of nature, culture, art and history.

5.  Netherlands

Photo by David Evers from Flickr

The Netherlands is a country where people take time to stop and smell the tulips.

It’s where most people spend only about 36 hours a week working, and more time than most on staying fit and active.

4. Switzerland

In Switzerland, things work efficiently and people are known for their calm contentment.

What’s more, this is a place where you can bathe in chocolate, and take a luxury chocolate tour on a train.

Clearly, I need to do some happiness research here.

3. Iceland

You may be surprised to find that a country characterized by cold and darkness has some of the happiest people.

And yet, Iceland consistently ranks in the top ten happiest countries.

Why?  There’s a thriving culture and bar scene, natural beauty, hot springs and they believe in elves.  Read about my happy road trip in Iceland here.

2.  Denmark

Despite being known for its cold winters and melancholy Prince, Denmark has consistently ranked at or near the top of the happiness scale.

Some say the secret is the concept of hygge.  Defined as a cultivated coziness, it involves spending time with loved ones and indulgent foods like chocolate and wine. 

For more, see my post on the Secrets to Happiness in Denmark.

1.  Finland

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