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The 30 happiest countries in the world (the US isn't one of them)
- Some of the entries are not at all surprising. Click to know more.
© Shutterstock
0 / 32 Fotos
Criteria
- The survey took into account six variables: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and perceptions of corruption.
© Shutterstock
1 / 32 Fotos
30. Singapore
- Score: 6.523 Ranking 25th last year, this year Singapore dropped a few positions, coming in 30th in the ranking.
© Shutterstock
2 / 32 Fotos
29. Kosovo
- Score: 6.561 The country makes a fresh entry into the top 30 of the World Happiness Report. Levels of happiness are higher among young people.
© Shutterstock
3 / 32 Fotos
28. Saudi Arabia
- Score: 6.594 Ranking 30th in 2023, this year the Arab nation has claimed the 28th spot.
© iStock
4 / 32 Fotos
27. France
- Score: 6.609 France scores high in most of the report criteria, but nonetheless dropped six positions since 2023.
© Shutterstock
5 / 32 Fotos
26. Uruguay
- Score: 6.611 The South American country just barely made it into the top 30 in 2023, at number 28. This year, it climbed up to the 26th position.
© Shutterstock
6 / 32 Fotos
25. Mexico
- Score: 6.678 The country didn't make it into the top 30 last year, but things are looking better for Mexicans in 2024.
© Shutterstock
7 / 32 Fotos
24. Germany
- Score: 6.719 The country is known for its strong economy, which is why it usually ranks in the top 15. This year, however, it dropped down to number 24.
© Shutterstock
8 / 32 Fotos
23. United States
- Score: 6.725 The North American country dropped a whopping eight positions in comparison to last year. The US has been steadily dropping in the ranking. It's worth remembering that the nation placed 11th in the first World Happiness Report in 2012.
© Shutterstock
9 / 32 Fotos
22. United Arab Emirates
- Score: 6.733 The UAE strengthened its position in the ranking, climbing from number 26 to 22 in 2024. The country even has a ministry dedicated to happiness and well-being.
© Shutterstock
10 / 32 Fotos
21. Slovenia
- Score: 6.743 Coming in at number 21 is this beautiful Eastern European jewel. Slovenia is slowly climbing the ranking and has gone up one from 22nd to 21st in this year's ranking.
© iStock
11 / 32 Fotos
20. United Kingdom
- Score: 6.749 The UK has been consistently dropping in the ranking since 2020. In 2024, the nation dropped yet another position in comparison to last year.
© Shutterstock
12 / 32 Fotos
19. Lithuania
- Score: 6.818
The southernmost Baltic state climbs up one position in relation to last year's ranking.
© Shutterstock
13 / 32 Fotos
18. Czech Republic
- Score: 6.822 The Czech Republic stands firm in 18th place for the world's happiest countries in 2024.
© Shutterstock
14 / 32 Fotos
17. Ireland
- Score: 6.838 The Irish are known to be hospitable, humorous, and friendly. The country is safe overall and has a stable economy.
© Shutterstock
15 / 32 Fotos
16. Belgium
- Score: 6.894 Ranking 17th last year, this year Belgium has climbed up one spot in the ranking.
© Shutterstock
16 / 32 Fotos
15. Canada
- Score: 6.900 Canada went down two positions but remains strong in the middle of the pack. The country's low unemployment rates might have something to do with it.
© Shutterstock
17 / 32 Fotos
14. Austria
- Score: 6.905 Vienna was once voted the best city in the world to live in because of safety and the price of quality housing, according to Mercer's ranking. The country has dropped from the 11th position since last year though, but still ranks a respectable 14th.
© Shutterstock
18 / 32 Fotos
13. Kuwait
- Score: 6.951 Kuwait debuts in this year's top spots of the ranking. Kuwait is one of the richest countries in the world.
© Shutterstock
19 / 32 Fotos
12. Costa Rica
- Score: 6.955 The nation's slogan is pura vida, which translates to "pure life." That says something about Costa Rica's way of life indeed.
© Shutterstock
20 / 32 Fotos
11. New Zealand
- Score: 7.029 New Zealand is considered one of the best places in the world to live, by both locals and foreigners.
© Shutterstock
21 / 32 Fotos
10. Australia
- Score: 7.057 Australians are satisfied with their well-being, have jobs, and have a high life expectancy. Incredible beaches also help, right?
© Shutterstock
22 / 32 Fotos
9. Switzerland
- Score: 7.060 In Switzerland, life expectancy goes beyond 80, and its citizens are quite cultured, many speaking several languages (including German, French, and English). It's also one of the most competitive countries in the world.
© Shutterstock
23 / 32 Fotos
8. Luxembourg
- Score: 7.122 This European nation might be small in size, but Luxembourg sure has everything its citizens need, and then some!
© Shutterstock
24 / 32 Fotos
7. Norway
- Score: 7.302 This Northern European country usually places high in the ranking, particularly when it comes to the well-being of its citizens.
© Shutterstock
25 / 32 Fotos
6. Netherlands
- Score: 7.319 Overall, the Netherlands is an open country: it's inclusive of immigrants, has liberal policies, and offers security to its citizens.
© Shutterstock
26 / 32 Fotos
5. Israel
- Score: 7.341 Israel has a stable and sustainable economy. Most schools are public and offer quality education.
© Shutterstock
27 / 32 Fotos
4. Sweden
- Score: 7.344 The Swedish economy is developed and diversified. Sweden is considered one of the most socially equal nations in the world. The nation climbed up from the 6th position last year.
© Shutterstock
28 / 32 Fotos
3. Iceland
- Score: 7.525 The top three starts with this island nation. The country is known for providing good social support to its citizens, including an affordable healthcare system and free education.
© Shutterstock
29 / 32 Fotos
2. Denmark
- Score: 7.583 Denmark scored high in all criteria, including low corruption and high social trust.
© Shutterstock
30 / 32 Fotos
1. Finland
- Score: 7.741 The nation has topped the ranking for seven years in a row. Surely they must be doing something right! Sources: (World Happiness Report 2024) See also: Top tips for a happy retirement
© Shutterstock
31 / 32 Fotos
The 30 happiest countries in the world (the US isn't one of them)
- Some of the entries are not at all surprising. Click to know more.
© Shutterstock
0 / 32 Fotos
Criteria
- The survey took into account six variables: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and perceptions of corruption.
© Shutterstock
1 / 32 Fotos
30. Singapore
- Score: 6.523 Ranking 25th last year, this year Singapore dropped a few positions, coming in 30th in the ranking.
© Shutterstock
2 / 32 Fotos
29. Kosovo
- Score: 6.561 The country makes a fresh entry into the top 30 of the World Happiness Report. Levels of happiness are higher among young people.
© Shutterstock
3 / 32 Fotos
28. Saudi Arabia
- Score: 6.594 Ranking 30th in 2023, this year the Arab nation has claimed the 28th spot.
© iStock
4 / 32 Fotos
27. France
- Score: 6.609 France scores high in most of the report criteria, but nonetheless dropped six positions since 2023.
© Shutterstock
5 / 32 Fotos
26. Uruguay
- Score: 6.611 The South American country just barely made it into the top 30 in 2023, at number 28. This year, it climbed up to the 26th position.
© Shutterstock
6 / 32 Fotos
25. Mexico
- Score: 6.678 The country didn't make it into the top 30 last year, but things are looking better for Mexicans in 2024.
© Shutterstock
7 / 32 Fotos
24. Germany
- Score: 6.719 The country is known for its strong economy, which is why it usually ranks in the top 15. This year, however, it dropped down to number 24.
© Shutterstock
8 / 32 Fotos
23. United States
- Score: 6.725 The North American country dropped a whopping eight positions in comparison to last year. The US has been steadily dropping in the ranking. It's worth remembering that the nation placed 11th in the first World Happiness Report in 2012.
© Shutterstock
9 / 32 Fotos
22. United Arab Emirates
- Score: 6.733 The UAE strengthened its position in the ranking, climbing from number 26 to 22 in 2024. The country even has a ministry dedicated to happiness and well-being.
© Shutterstock
10 / 32 Fotos
21. Slovenia
- Score: 6.743 Coming in at number 21 is this beautiful Eastern European jewel. Slovenia is slowly climbing the ranking and has gone up one from 22nd to 21st in this year's ranking.
© iStock
11 / 32 Fotos
20. United Kingdom
- Score: 6.749 The UK has been consistently dropping in the ranking since 2020. In 2024, the nation dropped yet another position in comparison to last year.
© Shutterstock
12 / 32 Fotos
19. Lithuania
- Score: 6.818
The southernmost Baltic state climbs up one position in relation to last year's ranking.
© Shutterstock
13 / 32 Fotos
18. Czech Republic
- Score: 6.822 The Czech Republic stands firm in 18th place for the world's happiest countries in 2024.
© Shutterstock
14 / 32 Fotos
17. Ireland
- Score: 6.838 The Irish are known to be hospitable, humorous, and friendly. The country is safe overall and has a stable economy.
© Shutterstock
15 / 32 Fotos
16. Belgium
- Score: 6.894 Ranking 17th last year, this year Belgium has climbed up one spot in the ranking.
© Shutterstock
16 / 32 Fotos
15. Canada
- Score: 6.900 Canada went down two positions but remains strong in the middle of the pack. The country's low unemployment rates might have something to do with it.
© Shutterstock
17 / 32 Fotos
14. Austria
- Score: 6.905 Vienna was once voted the best city in the world to live in because of safety and the price of quality housing, according to Mercer's ranking. The country has dropped from the 11th position since last year though, but still ranks a respectable 14th.
© Shutterstock
18 / 32 Fotos
13. Kuwait
- Score: 6.951 Kuwait debuts in this year's top spots of the ranking. Kuwait is one of the richest countries in the world.
© Shutterstock
19 / 32 Fotos
12. Costa Rica
- Score: 6.955 The nation's slogan is pura vida, which translates to "pure life." That says something about Costa Rica's way of life indeed.
© Shutterstock
20 / 32 Fotos
11. New Zealand
- Score: 7.029 New Zealand is considered one of the best places in the world to live, by both locals and foreigners.
© Shutterstock
21 / 32 Fotos
10. Australia
- Score: 7.057 Australians are satisfied with their well-being, have jobs, and have a high life expectancy. Incredible beaches also help, right?
© Shutterstock
22 / 32 Fotos
9. Switzerland
- Score: 7.060 In Switzerland, life expectancy goes beyond 80, and its citizens are quite cultured, many speaking several languages (including German, French, and English). It's also one of the most competitive countries in the world.
© Shutterstock
23 / 32 Fotos
8. Luxembourg
- Score: 7.122 This European nation might be small in size, but Luxembourg sure has everything its citizens need, and then some!
© Shutterstock
24 / 32 Fotos
7. Norway
- Score: 7.302 This Northern European country usually places high in the ranking, particularly when it comes to the well-being of its citizens.
© Shutterstock
25 / 32 Fotos
6. Netherlands
- Score: 7.319 Overall, the Netherlands is an open country: it's inclusive of immigrants, has liberal policies, and offers security to its citizens.
© Shutterstock
26 / 32 Fotos
5. Israel
- Score: 7.341 Israel has a stable and sustainable economy. Most schools are public and offer quality education.
© Shutterstock
27 / 32 Fotos
4. Sweden
- Score: 7.344 The Swedish economy is developed and diversified. Sweden is considered one of the most socially equal nations in the world. The nation climbed up from the 6th position last year.
© Shutterstock
28 / 32 Fotos
3. Iceland
- Score: 7.525 The top three starts with this island nation. The country is known for providing good social support to its citizens, including an affordable healthcare system and free education.
© Shutterstock
29 / 32 Fotos
2. Denmark
- Score: 7.583 Denmark scored high in all criteria, including low corruption and high social trust.
© Shutterstock
30 / 32 Fotos
1. Finland
- Score: 7.741 The nation has topped the ranking for seven years in a row. Surely they must be doing something right! Sources: (World Happiness Report 2024) See also: Top tips for a happy retirement
© Shutterstock
31 / 32 Fotos
The 30 happiest countries in the world (the US isn't in the top 20)
Nordic nations top the list, again
© <p>Shutterstock</p>
The United Nations has released its World Happiness Report for 2024. The survey considered 143 countries and saw that it's not all doom and gloom. Once again, this year the Nordic countries dominate the top spots in the ranking, but there are also a few surprises in the top 30.
Curious? Click on to discover the happiest countries on the planet.
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