Finland has been named the happiest country in the world again, holding the title for a record nine times. The result comes from the latest World Happiness Report, which compares how people in 147 countries feel about their lives.
New Zealand was placed 11th this year, just outside the top 10 for the third year in a row. Australia was ranked 15th, while several Nordic countries were near the top of the list.
Experts say Finland’s strong public services help explain its high score. These include free education, healthcare, support for unemployed people and good maternity leave. Finnish philosopher Frank Martela said many people in Finland are surprised by the result because they do not usually think of themselves as especially cheerful. He said the ranking may show that Finland has fewer people who feel deeply unhappy, rather than people feeling joyful all the time.
The survey asks people to imagine a ladder, with 10 meaning the best possible life and 0 meaning the worst. People choose the step that best matches how they feel about their lives. Researchers also look at things such as health, income, generosity, freedom and trust in society. Finland had an average score of 7.764.
The report also raised concerns about young people. It found that life satisfaction among under-25s in New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United States has fallen sharply over the past 10 years.
Researchers think one reason may be the large amount of time some young people spend on social media or gaming. They said using the internet to talk with loved ones or learn new skills can be helpful, but too much screen time can be harmful.
