Finland named world’s happiest country for sixth consecutive year
Finland was named on Monday as the happiest country in the world for the sixth consecutive year, according to an index produced by the UN that highlighted an increase in brotherhood in Ukraine.
The World Happiness Report, which was first published in 2012, is based on people’s own assessments of their situation, economic well-being, and social indicators.
The report highlighted the situation in Ukraine, a country at war.
“Well-being in Ukraine fell by less than in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea, and this is partly thanks to the extraordinary rise in brotherly sentiment,” saiJan-Emmanuel De Neve, one of the report’s editors, said.
Despite the “extent of suffering and damage in Ukraine” following the Russian invasion launched in 2022, there is a “much stronger feeling that there is a common purpose, there is benevolence and trust in the Ukrainian leadership”, relative to 2014, noted the report.
In the list of countries, Ukraine improved its position from 98 to 92, compared to the previous report, which was prepared before the Russian invasion.
In this year’s edition, northern European countries confirmed their position as the happiest nations.
After Finland, Denmark came in second place, followed by Iceland.
In contrast, Afghanistan, remained at the bottom of the ranking – a position it has maintained since 2020 – with a worsening humanitarian crisis since the Taliban returned to power in 2021 after the withdrawal of US-led troops.
Costa Rica in 16th place headed Latin American listings and Panama was ranked 40.
