In a world where well-being is increasingly recognized as a critical indicator of progress, the World Happiness Report 2024 delivers profound insights into the state of global happiness. As John F. Helliwell, one of the report’s lead authors, notes, “Happiness is a fundamental human goal, and understanding its drivers and trends helps us create societies that prioritize well-being.”
The report’s findings reveal that despite ongoing global challenges, certain regions and countries have managed to foster environments where happiness thrives. “The resilience of the Nordic countries in maintaining top positions underscores the importance of robust social support systems, trust in institutions, and a balanced approach to life,” says Jeffrey D. Sachs, another contributing author.
The Top 10 Happiest Countries in 2024
| Rank | Country |
|---|---|
| 1 | Finland |
| 2 | Denmark |
| 3 | Iceland |
| 4 | Sweden |
| 5 | Israel |
| 6 | Netherlands |
| 7 | Norway |
| 8 | Luxembourg |
| 9 | Switzerland |
| 10 | Australia |
Highlights
Top performers
- Finland: Maintains the highest happiness score with strong social support, high GDP per capita, and low levels of corruption.
- Denmark and Sweden: Follow closely behind Finland, with robust social systems and high levels of personal freedom and trust in society.
- Switzerland and Norway: Also rank highly due to strong economic performance and social cohesion.
Countries with notable improvements
- Czechia (18th), Lithuania (19th), Slovenia (21st): Significant rises in happiness rankings due to economic improvements and better social support systems.
- Serbia (37th) and Bulgaria (81st): Largest increases in happiness scores since 2013, showing improvements in life satisfaction and reduced negative emotions.
Countries with declines
- Afghanistan (143rd) experiences the most significant decline, ranking as the unhappiest country in 2024.
- Lebanon (142nd) and Zimbabwe (138th): Face substantial drops due to economic challenges and social instability.
- United States (23rd) and Germany (24th): Both countries have dropped in rankings, with the US experiencing a sharp decline in youth happiness.
Global Happiness Trends
Overall
- The top ten happiest countries have remained largely consistent since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Finland continues to hold the top spot, followed closely by Denmark. All five Nordic countries are in the top ten.
- Eastern European countries like Czechia, Lithuania, and Slovenia have shown significant improvements, contributing to the decline of the United States and Germany to 23rd and 24th positions, respectively.
Happiness by age group
- Generally, younger individuals (under 30) report higher life satisfaction compared to older age groups. However, in North America, happiness among the young has declined sharply, making them less happy than older adults. In contrast, young people in Central and Eastern Europe report higher happiness levels than older populations.
- Western Europe shows similar happiness levels across all age groups, while in other regions, happiness tends to decline with age, with occasional increases in older age.
- Older generations (born before 1965) generally report higher life evaluations than Millennials and Generation Z.
- Life evaluations tend to rise with age for older generations but decline for younger ones, indicating generational differences in happiness trends.
Regional differences and changes
- Central and Eastern Europe have experienced the largest increases in happiness across all age groups. Gains in the former Soviet Union and East Asia are notable, especially among the older population.
- South Asia, North America, and the Middle East and North Africa have seen declines in happiness across all age groups, with the most significant drops in North America among the young.
Inequality of happiness
- Since 2006-2010, happiness inequality has increased globally, except in Europe. The most significant increase in inequality is observed in Sub-Saharan Africa, with the elderly experiencing the largest disparities.
Negative and positive emotions
- Negative emotions have become more frequent globally since 2006-2010, except in East Asia and Europe, where they have decreased. Positive emotions remain more prevalent among younger individuals but show a declining trend with age in most regions.
Benevolence and social support
- The COVID-19 pandemic led to a global increase in benevolence, especially among Millennials and Generation Z, who are more likely to help others compared to previous generations.
- Feelings of social support are more than twice as prevalent as loneliness in most regions, significantly impacting overall happiness. Social interactions also contribute positively to happiness by increasing social support and reducing loneliness.
Methodology
The World Happiness Report 2024 employs a comprehensive methodology to assess and rank global happiness. This includes data collection from survey responses, three-year average life evaluations, emotional reports, generational and age analysis, and comparisons of happiness trends over time (2006-2010 to 2021-2023). The data is interpreted using six key variables: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and perceptions of corruption.
Our Key Takeaway
The World Happiness Report 2024 underscores the complex interplay of age, regional differences, and societal factors in shaping happiness levels worldwide. While Nordic countries continue to lead in happiness, significant regional shifts highlight the dynamic nature of global well-being. Addressing the increasing inequality of happiness and fostering social support, while creating trust in institutions across all age groups remain crucial for enhancing global happiness.
For more detailed data and insights, visit the World Happiness Report website.
Enjoyed this snapshot of world’s happiest countries? You might like to explore our Country Observatory for snapshots of how countries perform across leading rankings in terms of economic competitiveness, sustainability, soft power and reputation.
