World Happiness Report 2024: India Ranks behind Pakistan, Iraq, Palestine
For the seventh consecutive time, Finland has been named the happiest country in the world.
The 2024 World Happiness Report reveals that Finland has retained its title as the world’s happiest country for the seventh consecutive year. Other countries within the top ten included Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Israel, the Netherlands, Norway, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Australia.
World Happiness Report 2024, a global happiness index released on March 20 to commemorate the UN’s International Day of Happiness. In a first, the report introduces separate rankings based on age groups, revealing discrepancies compared to the overall rankings.
Among the 143 countries surveyed, Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the list, grappling with ongoing humanitarian crises since the Taliban regained power in 2020.
The United States and Germany have dropped out of the top 20 happiest nations, securing the 23rd and 24th positions respectively after more than a decade. Conversely, Costa Rica and Kuwait have entered the top 20, claiming the 12th and 13th spots.
Top 10 Happiest countries in the world
- Finland
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Sweden
- Israel
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Luxembourg
- Switzerland
- Australia
India Ranking at World Happiness Report 2024
India maintains its 126th place, unchanged from last year. Among its neighbors, China ranks highest at 60, followed by Nepal (93), Pakistan (108), Myanmar (118), Sri Lanka (128), and Bangladesh (129).
Various factors such as marital status, social engagement, and physical health significantly influence life satisfaction among older Indians.
The findings suggest that in India, older age is linked with a sense of contentment, challenging the belief that life satisfaction is exclusive to wealthy nations.
Among different age groups in India, the younger demographic emerged as the most content, while those in the “lower middle” category reported the lowest levels of satisfaction.
The top 10 Happiest countries in Asia
- Singapore
- Taiwan
- Japan
- South Korea
- Philippines
- Vietnam
- Thailand
- Malaysia
- China
- Mongolia
Happiest countries in the world for the young and old
Lithuania takes the lead as the top-ranking country for children and young people under 30, while Denmark maintains its position as the world’s happiest nation for individuals aged 60 and older.
Top 10 Happiest countries for those under age 30:
- Lithuania
- Israel
- Serbia
- Iceland
- Denmark
- Luxembourg
- Finland
- Romania
- Netherlands
- Czech Republic
Top 10 Happiest countries for those 60 and older:
- Denmark
- Finland
- Norway
- Sweden
- Iceland
- New Zealand
- Netherlands
- Canada
- Australia
- United States
About World Happiness Index
The World Happiness Index is an annual report published by the United Nations, ranking countries based on various factors contributing to happiness and well-being.
Factors considered include
- GDP per capita, social support,
- life expectancy,
- freedom to make life choices,
- generosity, and
- perceptions of corruption.
Aim: The index aims to provide insight into global happiness levels and to guide policymakers in promoting societal well-being.
Comparative Analysis: By comparing countries’ rankings over time, the index helps track changes in happiness levels and identifies factors influencing these changes.
Public Perception: It relies on individuals’ self-assessment of their happiness and life satisfaction, providing a subjective but valuable perspective.
Policy Implications: Governments and organizations use the index to inform policies aimed at enhancing citizens’ well-being and improving overall happiness levels in their countries.
Global Attention: The release of the index garners significant attention from media, policymakers, and the public, sparking discussions on happiness and societal progress worldwide.
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