World Happiness index 2022/2023
World Happiness index 2022/2023

Despite the war between Russia and Ukraine as well as the Covid 19 pandemic that is shaking the world, there is also much happiness, benevolence and trust in the world.

World Happiness Report 2022: Where is Ukraine, Russia, U.S and U.K on the List?

Published March 18, 2022, the annual UN-sponsored World Happiness index names Finland as the world’s happiest country for the fifth year running, with Afghanistan again the unhappiest, followed closely by Lebanon.

The World Happiness Report, now in its 10th year, is based on people’s own assessment of their happiness, as well as economic and social data.

It assigns a happiness score on a scale of zero to 10, based on an average of data over a three-year period.

This latest edition was completed before the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The surveys this year's happiness rankings were based on were conducted well before the invasion. Ukraine and Russia both fall into the bottom half of world rankings for happiness in the 2022 report, with Ukraine at No. 98 and Russia at No. 80.

Read More: 2022 Military Strengths of Russia and Ukraine in Comparison

The current war raging in Ukraine means happiness in other parts of the world could teeter as well.

The United States rose three places to 16th, one ahead of Britain, while France climbed to 20th, its highest ranking yet.

Northern Europeans once again dominate the top spots — with the Danes second behind the Finns, followed by the Icelandic, the Swiss and the Dutch.

On the other hand, Afghanistan was ranked as the most unhappy country in the world. It was soon followed by Lebanon and Zimbabwe.

In the latest World Happiness Report, Nigeria has been ranked 114th among 146 nations surveyed, with Nordic nations dominating the top 10.

In West Africa, Nigeria is ranked ahead of Mali,(115), Liberia(118), Chad (125), Mauritania(131), Togo (133), Sierra Leone (135).

Hpwever, Ivory Coast (83), Ghana(93) , Cameroon(89), Senegal(90), Niger(94), Gambia(96), Benin(97), Guinea(100) and Burkina Faso(111) are ranked much happier nations than Nigeria.

Mauritius at 49 in the world is the happiest nation in Africa.

Top 20 Happiest Countries In The World in 2022/2023 Ranking - Is Your Country on the List?
In the latest World Happiness Report, Nigeria has been ranked 114th

Take a look at the top 10 countries of the World Happiness Report, 2022 here:

The Top 20 Happiest Countries in the World

1.Finland

2.Denmark

3.Iceland

4.Switzerland

5.Netherlands

6.Luxembourg

7.Sweden

8.Norway

9.Israel

10.New Zealand

11.Austria

12.Australia

13.Ireland

14.Germany

15.Canada

16.United States

17.United Kingdom

18.Czech Republic

19.Belgium

20.France

*****

Where is Ukraine Place: 98 - Unhappiest People?

Before the war broke out in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the country's happiness ranking index every year for many years has always been low. Among European countries, Ukraine is the only one at the bottom of the ranking. Neighboring countries are ranked much higher: Russia, Poland, Belarus, and Moldova etc.

This fact makes Ukraine one of the unhappy countries in Europe. According to Gallup, Ukraine is in the top five of countries with the most negative happiness ranking dynamics in the past 10 years.

Expert sociologists attribute the deterioration of Ukraine’s position in the World Happiness Ranking to a number of reasons. The first one is the worsening of the economic situation and the ongoing war in the Donbas. The second one consists of Ukrainian society’s greater demands after the Revolution of Dignity.

Where is Russia Place: 80

Although the ranking was completed before the war broke out, Russia's position in the happiness index has dropped more than 10 places. Russia is now the 80th-happiest place on Earth in 2022.

Russia ranked 6th-happiest among its post-Soviet cohorts, behind Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Moldova.

Read More: What Happened to the 15 Republics in the Former Soviet Union (USSR)

1.Finland - Why is Finland so happy?

Finland ranks as the world's happiest country based on the 2022 report, with a score of 7.842 out of a total possible score of 10. The report writers credited the citizens of Finland's strong feelings of communal support and mutual trust with not only helping secure the #1 ranking, but (more importantly) helping the country as a whole navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, Finlanders felt strongly that they were free to make their own choices, and showed minimal suspicion of government corruption. Both of these factors are strong contributors to overall happiness.

The report raised some eyebrows when it first placed Finland at the top of its listings in 2018.

Many of the Nordic country’s 5.5 million people describe themselves as taciturn and prone to melancholy, and admit to eyeing public displays of joyfulness with suspicion.

But the country of vast forests and lakes is also known for its well-functioning public services, ubiquitous saunas, widespread trust in authority and low levels of crime and inequality.

"One other factor which makes Finland different from most western countries is the equality, which translates into opportunities for everyone no matter what socio-economical background they are from," The Helsinki Times said. "Finland has a very large middle class, and very little poverty... Even the poorest people would get the best education and health care, and no one needs to be homeless."

It added: "All these of course may not make people happy, but it sure makes them contempt and relaxed."

2.Denmark

The second-happiest country in the world is Denmark, which scores 7.620. Denmark's values for each of the six variables are quite comparable to those of Finland. In fact, Denmark even outscored the leader in multiple categories, including GDP per capita, generosity, and perceived lack of corruption, demonstrating that it may claim the top spot sometime in the near future.

Located in Northern Europe, it is home to many progressive policies, like bike-friendly cities that promote environmentally friendly lifestyles and high social support networks for their people. The Danish have been known as some of nature’s healthiest creatures since they hold an average life expectancy at birth which sits just below 80 years old.

3.Iceland

Iceland ranks as 2021's fourth-happiest country in the entire world, with a total score of 7.554. Of the top seven happiest countries around the globe, Iceland has the highest feeling of social support (higher even than Finland, Norway, and Denmark, which all tied for second place). Iceland also had the second-highest generosity score in the top seven, though it's worth noting that it ranked only 11th worldwide.

Iceland, with Kirkjufell pictured in the background, rates highly along with its Nordic neighbors in areas such as life expectancy, GDP per capita, social support, low corruption and high social trust, generosity and freedom.

4.Switzerland

As the third-happiest country in the world, Switzerland scored a total of 7.571 out of 10. In general, the Swiss are very healthy, with one of the world's lowest obesity rates and a long life expectancy. The Swiss also have a very high median salary, about 75% higher than that of the United States, and the highest GDP per capita in the top seven. Additionally, there is a strong sense of community in Switzerland and a firm belief that it is a safe and clean country—which is statistically true. Along with Iceland and Denmark, Switzerland is one of the world's safest countries.

5.Netherlands

Edging out Norway for the honor of fifth-happiest country in the world is the Netherlands (also known as Holland to many tulip lovers), with a score of 7.464. The Netherlands scored higher in the generosity category than any other top-seven country and also displayed an impressive lack of perceived corruption.

6.Luxembourg

Luxembourg is a small country with an excellent work-life balance. Luxembourg also offers many other advantages, including great healthcare systems and five weeks vacation time plus public holidays. They also have a meager crime rate and the highest GDP per capita in Europe.

Luxembourg is so lovely that it’s become a major tourist destination for people all around the world.

7.Sweden

Seventh-place Sweden (7.363) ranks high, if not quite highest, in virtually every category measured. For example: Sweden has a higher lack of corruption score than all but four countries worldwide (two of which are Finland and Denmark), the fourteenth-highest GDP per capita of all 149 countries measured, and the fourth-highest life expectancy in the top seven.

8.Norway

The citizens of sixth-place Norway (7.392) feel they are being well cared for by their government thanks to universal healthcare and free college tuition. Norwegians also enjoy a healthy work-life balance, working an average of 38 hours per week vs. 41.5. hours per week in the United States. Additionally, Norway has a low crime rate and a strong sense of community among its citizens—a quality it shares with many of the top seven.

9.Israel

Israel has climbed three spots to ninth, its highest-ever placing, in the annual UN-sponsored World Happiness index. It came in 12th last year.

10.New Zealand

New Zealand’s hospitality is legendary. Travelers have been raving about it for years, and they say New Zealanders are warm, welcoming folk who will go out of their way to help you enjoy your vacation or relax after work. The country also scores highly when looking at natural beauty.

One could ask themselves how did these wonderful features come together into one cohesive whole? Well, there were many factors involved, but we believe that the happiest people are those who know how to balance their life. They don’t overwork themselves, nor do they underdo it either.

Honorable Bhutan

Bhutan was excluded from the 2021 report due to a technicality: Each country's scores are based upon detailed Gallup polls, but Gallup did not conduct polling in Bhutan during the required timeframe. However, the report's writers made a special effort to pay tribute to Bhutan, saying it "once again provided an inspiring example for the world about how to combine health and happiness. They made explicit use of the principles of Gross National Happiness in mobilizing the whole population in collaborative efforts to avoid even a single COVID-19 death in 2020, despite having strong international travel links." Impressive indeed. If Gallup begins polling in Bhutan, Northern Europe's hold on happiness may soon have competition.
International Day Of Happiness: Date, Best Wishes & Quotes, Celebration and Happiest Countries International Day Of Happiness: Date, Best Wishes & Quotes, Celebration and Happiest Countries

*Check out the World Happiness Report in Full List of Countries 2022 Here

Check more the Ranking about Happiest Countries in the World

Rank Country Happiness 2021 Happiness 2020 2022 Population
1 Finland 7.842 7.809 5,554,960
2 Denmark 7.62 7.646 5,834,950
3 Switzerland 7.571 7.56 8,773,637
4 Iceland 7.554 7.504 345,393
5 Netherlands 7.464 7.449 17,211,447
6 Norway 7.392 7.488 5,511,370
7 Sweden 7.363 7.353 10,218,971
8 Luxembourg 7.324 7.238 642,371
9 New Zealand 7.277 7.3 4,898,203
10 Austria 7.268 7.294 9,066,710
11 Australia 7.183 7.223 26,068,792
12 Israel 7.157 7.129 8,922,892
13 Germany 7.155 7.076 83,883,596
14 Canada 7.103 7.232 38,388,419
15 Ireland 7.085 7.129 5,020,199
16 Costa Rica 7.069 7.121 5,182,354
17 United Kingdom 7.064 7.165 68,497,907
18 Czech Republic 6.965 6.911 10,736,784
19 United States 6.951 6.94 334,805,269
20 Belgium 6.834 6.864 11,668,278
21 France 6.69 6.664 65,584,518
22 Bahrain 6.647 6.227 1,783,983
23 Malta 6.602 6.773 444,033
24 Taiwan 6.584 6.455 23,888,595
25 United Arab Emirates 6.561 6.791 10,081,785
26 Saudi Arabia 6.494 6.406 35,844,909
27 Spain 6.491 6.401 46,719,142
28 Italy 6.483 6.387 60,262,770
29 Slovenia 6.461 6.363 2,078,034
30 Guatemala 6.435 6.399 18,584,039
31 Uruguay 6.431 6.44 3,496,016
32 Singapore 6.377 6.377 5,943,546
33 Slovakia 6.331 6.281 5,460,193
34 Brazil 6.33 6.376 215,353,593
35 Mexico 6.317 6.465 131,562,772
36 Jamaica 6.309 5.89 2,985,094
37 Lithuania 6.255 6.215 2,661,708
38 Cyprus 6.223 6.159 1,223,387
39 Estonia 6.189 6.022 1,321,910
40 Panama 6.18 6.305 4,446,964
41 Uzbekistan 6.179 6.258 34,382,084
42 Chile 6.172 6.228 19,250,195
43 Poland 6.166 6.186 37,739,785
44 Kazakhstan 6.152 6.058 19,205,043
45 Romania 6.14 6.124 19,031,335
46 Kuwait 6.106 6.102 4,380,326
47 Serbia 6.078 5.778 8,653,016
48 El Salvador 6.061 6.348 6,550,389
49 Mauritius 6.049 6.101 1,274,727
50 Latvia 6.032 5.95 1,848,837
51 Colombia 6.012 6.163 51,512,762
52 Hungary 5.992 6 9,606,259
53 Thailand 5.985 5.999 70,078,203
54 Nicaragua 5.972 6.137 6,779,100
55 Japan 5.94 5.871 125,584,838
57 Portugal 5.929 5.911 10,140,570
56 Argentina 5.929 5.975 46,010,234
58 Honduras 5.919 5.953 10,221,247
59 Croatia 5.882 5.505 4,059,286
60 Philippines 5.88 6.006 112,508,994
61 South Korea 5.845 5.872 51,329,899
62 Peru 5.84 5.797 33,684,208
63 Bosnia And Herzegovina 5.813 5.674 3,249,317
64 Moldova 5.766 5.608 4,013,171
65 Ecuador 5.764 5.925 18,113,361
66 Kyrgyzstan 5.744 5.542 6,728,271
67 Greece 5.723 5.515 10,316,637
68 Bolivia 5.716 5.747 11,992,656
69 Mongolia 5.677 5.456 3,378,078
70 Paraguay 5.653 5.692 7,305,843
71 Montenegro 5.581 5.546 627,950
72 Dominican Republic 5.545 5.689 11,056,370
73 Belarus 5.534 5.54 9,432,800
75 Hong Kong 5.477 5.51 7,604,299
74 Russia 5.477 5.546 145,805,947
76 Tajikistan 5.466 5.556 9,957,464
77 Vietnam 5.411 5.353 98,953,541
78 Libya 5.41 5.489 7,040,745
79 Malaysia 5.384 5.384 33,181,072
80 Indonesia 5.345 5.286 279,134,505
81 Republic of the Congo 5.342 5.194 5,797,805
82 China 5.339 5.124 1,448,471,400
83 Ivory Coast 5.306 5.233 27,742,298
84 Armenia 5.283 4.677 2,971,966
85 Nepal 5.269 5.137 30,225,582
86 Bulgaria 5.266 5.102 6,844,597
87 Maldives 5.198 5.198 540,985
88 Azerbaijan 5.171 5.165 10,300,205
89 Cameroon 5.142 5.085 27,911,548
90 Senegal 5.132 4.981 17,653,671
91 Albania 5.117 4.883 2,866,374
92 North Macedonia 5.101 5.16 2,081,304
93 Ghana 5.088 5.148 32,395,450
94 Niger 5.074 4.91 26,083,660
95 Turkmenistan 5.066 5.119 6,201,943
96 Gambia 5.051 4.751 2,558,482
97 Benin 5.045 5.216 12,784,726
98 Laos 5.03 4.889 7,481,023
99 Bangladesh 5.025 4.833 167,885,689
100 Guinea 4.984 4.949 13,865,691
101 South Africa 4.956 4.814 60,756,135
102 Turkey 4.948 5.132 85,561,976
103 Pakistan 4.934 5.693 229,488,994
104 Morocco 4.918 5.095 37,772,756
105 Venezuela 4.892 5.053 29,266,991
106 Georgia 4.891 4.673 3,968,738
107 Algeria 4.887 5.005 45,350,148
108 Ukraine 4.875 4.561 43,192,122
109 Iraq 4.854 4.785 42,164,965
110 Gabon 4.852 4.829 2,331,533
111 Burkina Faso 4.834 4.769 22,102,838
112 Cambodia 4.83 4.848 17,168,639
113 Mozambique 4.794 4.624 33,089,461
114 Nigeria 4.759 4.724 216,746,934
115 Mali 4.723 4.729 21,473,764
116 Iran 4.721 4.672 86,022,837
117 Uganda 4.636 4.432 48,432,863
118 Liberia 4.625 4.558 5,305,117
119 Kenya 4.607 4.583 56,215,221
120 Tunisia 4.596 4.392 12,046,656
121 Lebanon 4.584 4.772 6,684,849
122 Namibia 4.574 4.571 2,633,874
123 Myanmar 4.426 4.308 55,227,143
124 Jordan 4.395 4.633 10,300,869
125 Chad 4.355 4.423 17,413,580
126 Sri Lanka 4.325 4.327 21,575,842
127 Eswatini 4.308 4.308 1,184,817
128 Comoros 4.289 4.289 907,419
129 Egypt 4.283 4.151 106,156,692
130 Ethiopia 4.275 4.186 120,812,698
131 Mauritania 4.227 4.375 4,901,981
132 Madagascar 4.208 4.166 29,178,077
133 Togo 4.107 4.187 8,680,837
134 Zambia 4.073 3.759 19,470,234
135 Sierra Leone 3.849 3.926 8,306,436
136 India 3.819 3.573 1,406,631,776
137 Burundi 3.775 3.775 12,624,840
138 Yemen 3.658 3.527 31,154,867
139 Tanzania 3.623 3.476 63,298,550
140 Haiti 3.615 3.721 11,680,283
141 Malawi 3.6 3.538 20,180,839
142 Lesotho 3.512 3.653 2,175,699
143 Botswana 3.467 3.479 2,441,162
144 Rwanda 3.415 3.312 13,600,464
145 Zimbabwe 3.145 3.299 15,331,428
146 Afghanistan 2.523 2.567 40,754,388

Published since 2012, the World Happiness Report is based on two key ideas – happiness or life evaluation measured through opinion surveys and identifying key elements that determine well-being and life evaluation across countries. Published by United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, the report contains rankings of national happiness based on several factors, and primarily on the responses by the individuals.

The World Happiness Report usually ranks 150 countries based on several factors such as real GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity and perceptions of corruption. Every year, each variable measures a populated-weighted average score on a scale of 0-10 that is tracked over a period of time and further compared with other countries.

This year, the report ranked 146 countries.