10 happiest countries in the world 2023

World Happiness Report It released its annual ranking of the happiest countries in the world and for the sixth year in a row, Finland took the top spot.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, the organization behind the report, uses six key factors to help rank more than 150 countries based on their life expectancy assessments between 2020-2022:

1. social support
2. Enter
3. health
4. freedom
5. generosity
6. Absence of corruption

Using these factors, the report examines the happiness gap between the upper and lower halves of the population in each ranked country.

“This gap is small in countries where almost everyone is very unhappy, and in first countries where almost no one is unhappy,” the report states.

This year’s ranking is similar to in the past, with the same Scandinavian countries taking the top three spots. Just like in 2022, Denmark was ranked second and Iceland was followed by third.

According to Frank Martella, a Finnish philosopher and psychology researcher, some of the reasons people in Finland are so happy are that they do not compare themselves to their neighbours, do not overlook the benefits of nature, and do not break the societal circle of trust.

“Focus more on what makes you happy and less on looking successful. The first step to true happiness is setting your own standards, rather than comparing yourself to others,” Martella tells CNBC Make It.

Finland is willing to share its wisdom: it offers a “happiness masterclass” to help travelers find their “inner Finn.” Expert trainers will guide lucky participants through four main themes: Nature and Lifestyle, Health and Balance, Design and Everyday, and Food and Wellbeing.

The United States didn’t make the top 10 on the list, but it did land in 15th.

1. Finland
2. Denmark
3. Iceland
4. Israel
5. Holland
6. Sweden
7. Norway
8. Switzerland
9. Luxembourg
10. New Zealand

Denmark’s high ranking is partly thanks to the country’s level of equality and the country’s sense of responsibility towards social welfare, according to The official website of the state.

People living in Denmark pay some of the highest taxes in the world – up to half of their income – but this is balanced out by the fact that most health care in the country is free, and university students pay no tuition fees and receive a scholarship to help cover expenses while studying. Childcare is subsidized, senior citizens receive pensions and are provided with care assistants.

Iceland may be the most densely populated country in Europe, but its people are some of the happiest in the world, thanks to the country’s attitude toward dependency and the fact that residents have a strong sense of community.

According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), in Iceland, 98% of people think they know someone they can count on in their time of need. It is the highest in OECD countries where the average is 91%.

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