World Happiness Report 2024: The top 10 happiest countries in the world: Check where India ranks on the list

It aims to comprehend and boost individual happiness, community well-being, social justice, economic equality, and environmental sustainability, in addition to providing valuable insights into the well-being of its citizens, enabling governments, policymakers, and organisations to understand the factors that contribute to people’s contentment and identify areas that may need improvement.

The World Happiness Report was recently released in 2024, and unsurprisingly, Nordic nations continue to dominate the top rankings with Finland, for the seventh time straight, ranking first as the world’s happiest country, followed by Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden.

Interestingly, Bhutan is a pioneer in valuing happiness more than economic development. The country measures the Gross National Happiness of its citizens rather than relying on economic metrics to judge its prosperity, as measuring and ranking happiness is essential for creating a more holistic and people-centred approach to societal progress.

Out of 143 countries surveyed, India is ranked 126th, the same as last year, with its neighbouring countries, China, ranked 60th, Nepal at 93, Pakistan at 108, Myanmar at 118, Sri Lanka at 128, Bangladesh at 129th, and Afghanistan at the bottom of the list.

World Happiness Index 2024: The top 10 happiest countries in the world

The World Happiness Index ranks countries based on the social and emotional aspects of a population, moving beyond economic indicators, based on six variables, like GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, having someone to count on, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and freedom from corruption, to provide a more comprehensive view of a country’s success.

1. Finland:

Finland (Source: Freepik)

Finland has been ranked the happiest country in the world for the seventh consecutive year. The country provides a high quality of life for its citizens with its vast natural beauty, strong social support systems, low corruption, and healthy work-life balance. Finnish happiness stems from a strong sense of community, a propensity for helping others, and a clear sense of purpose. The average life expectancy in Finland is 82 years, and 96% of Finns believe they have someone to rely on in times of need (OECD).

2. Denmark:

Denmark (Source: Adobe Stock)

Denmark is the second-happiest country, with a score of 7.58. The country’s emphasis on equality and social welfare, including free healthcare, subsidised childcare, tuition-free universities, and generous pensions, contributes to high levels of life satisfaction. Denmark outperforms the OECD average in jobs, education, health, environmental quality, social connections, civic engagement, and overall well-being.

3. Iceland:

Iceland (Source: Freepik)

As a Nordic country, Iceland shares many of the same social support and economic factors as Finland and Denmark that enable high levels of happiness and life satisfaction. Iceland’s natural beauty, with its volcanic landscapes and hot springs, also likely contributes to the well-being of its citizens, making it rank third on the list with a score of 7.52.

4. Israel:

Israel (Source: Freepik)

Israel is the happiest country in the Middle East, ranking fourth globally with a score of 7.47. However, the report notes that Israel’s survey was conducted before recent warfare, which caused life evaluations to fall by 0.9 points. Israel’s high ranking is likely due to its strong economy, democratic institutions, and vibrant culture.

5. Netherlands:

Netherlands (Source: Freepik)

The Netherlands is the 5th happiest country, with a score of 7.40. The Dutch enjoy a high standard of living, with strong social support, economic stability, and a healthy work-life balance. The Netherlands is one of only two countries in the top 10 with a population of over 15 million.

6. Sweden:

Sweden (Source: Adobe Stock)

Sweden ranks 6th, with a score of 7.39. Like its Nordic neighbours, Sweden provides generous social welfare benefits, low corruption, and a stable economy that contributes to the well-being of its citizens. Sweden also has a strong commitment to environmental protection and sustainability.

7. Norway:

Norway (Source: Freepik)

Norway is the 7th-happiest country, with a score of 7.32. Norway’s happiness is driven by its high GDP per capita, robust social support systems, and healthy life expectancy. The Norwegian government invests heavily in education, healthcare, and social services to support its citizens.

8. Luxembourg:

Luxembourg (Source: Adobe Stock)

Luxembourg ranks 8th, with a score of 7.23. As a small European country, Luxembourg has a high GDP per capita and provides a stable, prosperous environment for its citizens. Luxembourg is also known for its multilingual culture and high quality of life.

9. Switzerland:

Switzerland (Source: Freepik)

Switzerland is the 9th happiest country, with a score of 7.24. Switzerland consistently ranks highly due to its strong economy, high incomes, low corruption, and high quality of life. The Swiss enjoy a high standard of living, with excellent healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

10. Australia:

Australia (Source: Freepik)

Australia rounds out the top 10 with a score of 7.12. As the only non-European country in the top 10, Australia’s happiness is driven by its strong economy, democratic institutions, and high quality of life. Australia also benefits from its natural beauty, with stunning beaches, rainforests, and outback landscapes.

In essence, measuring and ranking happiness is essential for creating a more holistic and people-centred approach to societal progress. The world’s happiest countries share common traits such as strong social support systems, low corruption, healthy work-life balance, economic prosperity, and a commitment to the well-being of their citizens. While no country is perfect, these nations have created environments that allow their people to thrive and be happy.