Measuring happiness is no easy task, and yet every year since 2012 the United Nations publishes a World Happiness Report. The report for 2021 is a little different—aside from the usual criteria, it analyzed people’s emotional responses to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Here are four countries that made it to this year’s Happiness Report top 10.
New Zealand
Ranked the 9th happiest country in the world, New Zealand is the only non-European country in the top 10. It consistently rates high for its good work-life balance. Prime minister Jacinda Ardern has been praised for her early actions in handling the pandemic, which resulted in the country opening up earlier than the rest of the world.
Netherlands
Moving on to 6th place, the Dutch are one of the world’s happiest nations, and it starts at an early age. According to the WHO, Unicef, and the Dutch Statistics Office, the Netherlands shows a consistently high satisfaction for life among teenagers.
Iceland
Considering Iceland’s harsh climate and long winters, it may come as a surprise that the country ranked 2nd in the happiness rating. The Icelandic people are known for their friendliness, and their capability to handle crises and stay positive.
Finland
Crowned the happiest country in the world for the 4th year in a row, the people of Finland have many reasons to be content. These include their high-quality education system, high income, and confidence in the government.
