2024 Global Happiness Index Reveals Insights: Discover Which Countries Top the Charts in Joy and Well-Being!

According to SAEDNEWS, Happiness, much like love, is one of the most enigmatic yet sought-after emotions in human life. While numerous inspiring teachings on personal happiness abound, we seldom explore the joy— or lack thereof— experienced by entire nations. The World Happiness Report 2024 takes on this challenge, striving to measure and compare happiness levels across the globe, relying on data sourced from Gallup.

The Methodology Behind Happiness Rankings

The Gallup World Poll surveys around 1,000 respondents in nearly every country, examining various factors affecting their lives. One key question asks individuals to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale from 0 to 10. The World Happiness Report then averages these life evaluations per country over three years (2021-2023 for this edition) to rank nations from happiest to least happy.

A striking observation from the rankings reveals a correlation between population size and happiness. Notably, in the top 10 happiest countries, only the Netherlands and Australia have populations exceeding 15 million. Expanding this to the top 20, only Canada and the UK surpass 30 million in population. At the opposite end, Afghanistan ranks last, scoring a dismal 1.7, making it the only Asian nation in the bottom 10, which is predominantly filled with African countries.

Regional Highlights: North and South America, and Europe

In North and Central America, Costa Rica emerges as the happiest country, ranking 12th and narrowly ahead of Canada by a margin of 0.1 points. An intriguing pattern noted in the report is that in both the U.S. (23rd) and Canada (15th), older individuals report significantly higher levels of happiness than their younger counterparts, a trend also found in Nordic Europe.

The Dominican Republic takes the title of the least happy country in the region, yet it remains happier than over half of the nations surveyed. Uruguay, ranked 26th, stands as South America's happiest country, positioning itself fifth overall in the Americas, surpassed only by Mexico, the U.S., Canada, and Costa Rica. Despite recent improvements, Venezuela, ranked 79th, continues to be the unhappiest country in South America, still recording a notable drop in happiness compared to 2010.

Interestingly, the report points out a convergence in happiness levels across Europe, as Central and Eastern European nations are closing the happiness gap with Western Europe, which had previously maintained a significant lead. Among younger populations, happiness levels are consistent across the continent, while older age groups display a disparity. Ukraine, amid ongoing conflict, ranks as the unhappiest country in Europe at 105th overall.

Happiness in Asia, the Middle East, Oceania, and Africa

Israel leads the Middle East and Central Asia at fifth place but experiences a slight drop in happiness following recent escalations in conflict. Meanwhile, Afghanistan remains the world’s unhappiest nation, its happiness score halved since 2010.

In South and East Asia, Singapore (30th) and Taiwan (31st) far surpass regional giants like China (60th), Japan (51st), and India (126th) in happiness rankings. Over in Oceania, Australia (10th) and New Zealand (11th) reflect a pattern of older individuals feeling significantly happier than the young, mirroring trends in the U.S. and Canada.

Africa tells a contrasting story, with nine of the bottom 10 least happy countries located on the continent, many around Africa's Great Lakes. Lesotho ranks as Africa's unhappiest country and third-worst globally, a situation exacerbated by recurring food insecurity and emigration to South Africa for better opportunities. Conversely, Libya—the happiest country in Africa—has seen improvements in political stability following years of civil unrest.

Conclusion

The World Happiness Report 2024 provides valuable insights not only into individual happiness but also the collective emotions exhibited by entire nations. It invokes critical reflections on societal well-being and the various factors influencing happiness levels worldwide. As we continue to seek joy and fulfillment, understanding these global dynamics can inspire us to foster a happier, healthier world for all.