The World’s Happiest Country Is All About Reading, Coffee, and Saunas

With more than 3 million saunas and landscapes as pretty as this, it’s no wonder Finland is the happiest country in the world. Happiness is something we think a lot about, especially after the past few years. So naturally we were curious to see which country came out on top in the latest World Happiness Report.

What is the happiest country in the world?

According to the 2026 World Happiness Report, Finland is the happiest country in the world for the ninth year in a row. It’s followed by mostly Nordic countries. The report ranks countries by how happy their citizens perceive themselves to be. European countries dominate the rest of the top 10.

Healthcare is tops

Thanks to Finland’s extensive safety measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 paired with a high vaccination rate of its population, it continues to have one of Europe’s lowest COVID-19 mortality rates.

“In Finland as well, of course, people have been suffering,” Anu Partanen, author of The Nordic Theory of Everything told the Associated Press. “But again, in Finland society still supports a system buffering these sorts of shocks.”

Why is Finland the happiest country in the world?

The World Happiness Report bases its annual rankings of 146 countries using data from the main life evaluation question in the Gallup World Poll.

In it, respondents are asked to rate their current lives on a 0 to 10 scale, with 10 being the best possible life for them and 0 being the worst possible life. 

Certain factors contribute to making these life evaluations better in each country include a high GDP per capita, and a strong social support system among friends and family. Also, important is a healthy life expectancy and freedom to make life choices.  There is an absence of corruption in the government, and generosity when it comes to donating to charity.

Trust is important

Year after year life satisfaction is reported to be happiest in the social democracies of northern Europe. People feel secure in those countries. The government is seen to be credible and honest, and trust in each other is high.

The locals are friendly with a thriving culture and coffee scenes, and unfettered access to nature. It makes it a great place to live and to visit. 

Arts and culture lovers will be thrilled to explore Helsinki’s museums. In the past few years, Helsinki opened Amos Rex, a world-class contemporary art museum.  In addition, an Oodi, an energy-efficient public library at the center of the city designed to be the nation’s “living room.”

If being outdoors makes you happiest, Finland has plenty of that, too. Like many other Nordic residents, Finns have a close relationship to nature and get outside even during the coldest months. For those who want to relax in a serious way, Finland also has more than 3 million saunas.

Written by Lyndsey Matthews for Afar©

Photo by Shutterstock

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