The World Happiness Report is a publication by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
It features articles and rankings of national happiness, relying on respondent ratings of their own lives.
The report correlates these ratings with various life factors to assess quality of life.
It offers a comprehensive view of global data on happiness, and reviews evidence from the emerging field of happiness science.
About the Report
- The World Happiness Report assesses countries using various criteria, including real GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and perceptions of corruption.
- It relies on two key principles: measuring happiness or life evaluation through opinion surveys and identifying determinants of well-being across nations.
- This happiness study utilizes questions from the Gallup World Poll to rank countries globally, correlating results with factors like GDP and social security.
- March 20 holds significance as World Happiness Day, as designated by the UN General Assembly in 2012.
- The report ranks 156 countries based on citizens’ self-perceived happiness.
- The 2020 Report pioneered the ranking of cities worldwide according to subjective well-being, investigating how social, urban, and natural environments collectively impact happiness.
World Happiness Report 2023
The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) recently released the 11th edition of the World Happiness Report.
Top Performers:
- Finland maintains its position as the happiest country globally for the sixth consecutive year. Nordic countries such as Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden, among others, dominate the top spots. Israel stands out, securing the fourth position on the index.
Worst Performers:
- The unhappiest countries include Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, ranking last, with Lebanon, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, and the Democratic Republic of Congo joining at the bottom.
- War-scarred Afghanistan, holding the bottom spot since 2020, has seen its humanitarian crisis deepen since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021 following the US-led military withdrawal.
India & its neighbors:
- India’s rank in the World Happiness Report has improved from 136 in 2022 to 126 this year. However, it remains far below its neighbors like Sri Lanka (63), China (74), and Pakistan (108).
Rising Resilience Around the World:
- Between 2020 and 2022, the world witnessed a remarkable increase in resilience, as stated by the SDSN report. Notable events during this period were the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The report highlights a rise in global benevolence during these crises, with stronger social connections being built. Benevolent acts were 25 percent more common worldwide in 2022 compared to before the pandemic.
World Happiness Index Report 2022
- Finland maintains its position as the world’s happiest nation for the third consecutive year.
- The Happiness Index from the World Happiness Report (WHR) reveals a declining rank for India over time.
- In the 2022 World Happiness Report, India ranked 136th among 146 countries, compared to 139th among 149 countries in 2021.
- Afghanistan holds the title of the unhappiest nation, closely followed by Lebanon.
- Nordic states dominate the top 10, alongside countries like Switzerland, New Zealand, and Austria.
United Nations Sustainable Development Solution Network (UN SDSN)
- The UN SDSN has been active since 2012 under the UN Secretary-General’s direction.
- It harnesses global scientific and technological expertise to advance practical solutions for sustainable development, encompassing the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement.
- The goal is to accelerate joint learning and advocate for integrated approaches to tackle the interconnected economic, social, and environmental challenges worldwide.
- SDSN collaborates closely with UN agencies, multilateral financing institutions, the private sector, and civil society.
- Its organization and governance aim to facilitate the involvement of numerous leaders from all regions and diverse backgrounds in network development.
- SDSN maintains a small secretariat with offices in New York, New Delhi, and Paris.
FAQs
Q: What is the World Happiness Index?
A: The World Happiness Index is a landmark survey conducted by the United Nations to measure and rank the happiness levels of countries worldwide. It utilizes a variety of factors including GDP per capita, social support, life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and perceptions of corruption to gauge overall happiness.
Q: How is the World Happiness Index calculated?
A: The Index is calculated through surveys where respondents are asked to rate their own happiness on a scale. These scores are then combined with objective data on various factors such as economic strength, social support systems, and levels of personal freedom. The resulting composite score offers insights into the overall happiness of a nation’s citizens.
Q: Which countries typically rank highest on the World Happiness Index?
A: Scandinavian countries like Finland, Denmark, Norway, and Iceland often rank among the top countries for happiness. Factors such as strong social support networks, high GDP per capita, and robust healthcare and education systems contribute to their consistently high rankings.
Q: Why is the World Happiness Index important?
A: The Index provides valuable insights into the well-being and quality of life experienced by people around the world. By identifying the factors that contribute to happiness, policymakers and governments can make informed decisions to improve the lives of their citizens. Additionally, it fosters global dialogue on the importance of happiness and well-being beyond purely economic measures.
Q: Can the World Happiness Index be used to compare countries effectively?
A: While the Index offers valuable comparisons between countries, it’s important to consider cultural differences and nuances that may affect perceptions of happiness. Additionally, factors such as social inequality and environmental sustainability, while not directly measured in the Index, play significant roles in overall well-being and should be taken into account when interpreting rankings.
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