6 Predictors of the Happiest People on Earth

For the past 10 years, an annual World Happiness Report has been released which uses data science, tens of thousands of participants from around the world, and a team of professionals to measure, track, and understand happiness. These are the traits that best predict happiness:

1) GDP Per Capita: They say money doesn't buy happiness, but there is a high correlation between countries with high gross domestic product and those with the highest reported levels of happiness. Happy economy = happy people.

2) Social Support: This is measured by the Gallup World Poll question “If you were in trouble, do you have relatives or friends you can count on to help you whenever you need them, or not?” Those answering yes to this question tended to be far happier than those answering no.

3) Healthy Life Expectancy: Data from the World Health Organization predicts life expectancy at birth for every country. Countries with the longest life expectancy also tended to be the happiest.

4) Freedom to Make Life Choices: The happiest countries in the world were those that most frequently answered yes to the question “Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with your freedom to choose what you do with your life?”

5) Generosity: Those who give most generously tend to be the happiest. This was measured with the question “Have you donated money to a charity in the past month?”

6) Perceptions of Corruption: Countries that most frequently responded that they do not believe there is widespread corruption throughout their government and/or businesses in general tended to report higher levels of happiness.

With all of these factors combined, the data shows that in 2023, for the sixth year in a row, Finland has the happiest people on Earth. The next several countries are Denmark, Iceland, Israel and Netherlands.

Want to improve your own happiness? It seems that prioritizing your financial health, nurturing strong relationships, keeping physically healthy, finding freedom, giving generously, and living in a country you trust all can help. And perhaps try moving to Finland!

If you liked this Memo, follow me @scienceofselfcare  and check out this similar Memo that I think you'll love: