World Ranking Reveals Estonia as the 34th Happiest Nation According to Happiness Index
Perusing the World Happiness Report 2024, Estonia Slides Three Spots, Finding itself at 34th Happiest Country; Finland Retains Top Spot for the Seventh Year Running
In the realm of global happiness, Estonia took a three-step tumble, dipping from the 31st spot in 2023 to the 34th position in this year's World Happiness Report, which analyzed 143 countries. Conversely, Finland maintained its reign as the happiest nation on Earth, boasting a seventh consecutive year at the top of the list.
Remaining high in the rankings, Finland's happiness crown was followed closely by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and Israel. Afraid of the bottom of the barrel? Avoid lingering in the company of Afghanistan, Lebanon, Lesotho, and Sierra Leone, as they took up the mantle as the least content countries.
Lithuania perched comfortably at the 19th position, while Latvia settled for the 46th spot.
The Young and the Old, on Opposite Sides of the Happiness Spectrum
According to the report, the gulf between the happiness of the young and old is a chasm. The index, built on measuring subjective well-being through three key components – life evaluations, positive emotions, and negative emotions – indicated that rankings vary significantly for different age groups.
Youngsters, it seems, aren't yet catching the happiness bug, with the rankings for those under 30 lagging behind those aged 60 or older in nations like the United States and Canada by a whopping 50 places or more. In contrast, Central and Eastern European nations exhibit a reverse trend, with youngsters displaying 40+ place higher rankings than their elderly counterparts.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Gallup World Poll, and the Global Flourishing Study
The World Happiness Index, an annual publication by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, employs data from the Gallup World Poll. For a more granular analysis of age-related trends in happiness, the Global Flourishing Study offers intriguing insights:
- Young adults (18-29) face myriad challenges in terms of mental health and well-being, often reporting lower life satisfaction levels compared to their predecessors.
- Older adults (60+) generally enjoy a more positive outlook, with higher levels of well-being and life satisfaction.
With the 2024 Report in the Bag, An Eye on the Future
The 2024 World Happiness Report, while providing country-level rankings, does not delve into age-specific assessments. But the intriguing findings from the Global Flourishing Study and other surveys underscore important divergences in the happiness of younger and older demographics.
As we bid adieu to the 2024 report and set our sights on the future, one thing remains clear: we've still got plenty to be curious about and work towards when it comes to creating a happier world for all ages.
In contrast to the 2024 World Happiness Report, which only provides country-level rankings, the Global Flourishing Study offers insights on age-related trends in happiness. The study asserts that young adults, specifically those aged 18-29, face challenges with mental health and well-being, often reporting lower life satisfaction levels compared to their predecessors. On the other hand, older adults, aged 60 and above, generally exhibit a more positive outlook, with higher levels of well-being and life satisfaction.
The 2024 World Happiness Report indicated a significant gulf between the happiness of the young and the old in various countries. For instance, in the United States and Canada, youngsters under 30 lagged behind the elderly by 50 places or more in terms of happiness rankings. Interestingly, Central and Eastern European nations showed a reverse trend, with youngsters displaying 40 or more places higher rankings than their elderly counterparts.
Moreover, the happiness rankings in Estonia, as reflected in the 2024 World Happiness Report, led to some intriguing observations. Although Estonia fell three spots and ranks 34th on the happiest countries list, it remains essential to consider how these rankings vary across different age groups. This is particularly important for mental health and health-and-wellness initiatives in Estonia, as well as other countries that prioritize a happier life for their citizens.
Furthermore, the World Happiness Index, an annual publication by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, relies on data from the Gallup World Poll. As we look forward to future reports and make strides in creating a happier world, understanding and addressing these age-related trends in happiness will be crucial. Such efforts could be reinforced by science, language, and collaborative work across people from all corners of the globe on LinkedIn and beyond.
