Finland and happiness, a love story. For the sixth consecutive year on Monday, the Scandinavian country is the happiest country according to an annual index sponsored by the UN. As a result of the war, according to this same study, kindness is up sharply in Ukraine but down in Russia.
In Ukraine, despite the “extensive suffering and damage” caused by the war, there is “a much stronger sense of common purpose, kindness and trust in the Ukrainian leadership” than in the aftermath of the annexation of Crimea in 2014 by Russia, detailed Professor Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, one of the authors of the study.
France relegated to 21st place
While the same countries largely top the list year after year, the report’s authors identified the Baltic countries as rapidly progressing towards Western European levels.
The only new country among the 20 countries on the happiest list, Lithuania moved up to 20th – leaving France at 21st – while Estonia’s ranking fell from 66th in 2017 to 31st in 2023.
Despite the Ukraine and Covid-19 crises, “various forms of everyday kindness, such as helping a stranger, donating to charity and volunteering, are above pre-pandemic levels” worldwide for the second consecutive year , said Professor Lara Aknin, another author of the report.
Afghanistan scarred by decades of war, which has been last on the annual index since 2020, has seen its humanitarian crisis worsen since the Taliban returned to power in 2021 following the withdrawal of troops led by the Taliban. UNITED STATES.
The World Happiness Report, first published in 2012, is based on people’s assessment of their happiness, as well as economic and social data. The report considers six key factors: social support, income, health, freedom, generosity and freedom from corruption. It assigns a satisfaction score based on an average of data over a three-year period.
This year, Northern Europe once again dominated the top spots – with Denmark ranked second behind Finland, followed by Iceland. Fourth position went to Israel, up five places from last year.