Viewpoints Explained: Which Country Is Ranked #1 As ‘The Happiest In The World’ & Where Does The U.S. Fall?

This is Viewpoints Explained…

For eight years running, Finland has claimed the title of world’s happiest country. This annual report is compiled by The Wellbeing Research Center At The University Of Oxford. As part of the study, researchers asked participants to rate their lives on a scale of one to ten, with zero being the most discontent and ten being the happiest.

So, what makes the citizens of this small Nordic nation so consistently content? It’s not about money or status, but something more fundamental: a sense of community. The Finnish point to having strong ties with friends, family, community members and say they feel supported by public welfare systems. But Finland isn’t alone in this blissful state of mind. Other Nordic countries including Denmark, Iceland, And Sweden all round out the top spots in the report, sharing a unique mixture of strong social ties, routine access to nature and a calmer pace of life.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has slipped to the lowest position it’s ever been —24th place—as a growing number of Americans report feelings of disconnection, loneliness and solitude. Maybe it’s time to shift our focus from monetary gain and career success to instead building greater trust and deeper connections.