The United States has recently fallen out of the top 20 happiest countries in the world for the first time, according to the World Happiness Report. The report, which ranks countries based on individuals’ own assessments of their lives, saw the US drop from 15th place last year to 23rd place this year.
Happiness levels are on the decline in all age groups in the US, with young people being the least happy age group. People below the age of 30 in the US rank 62nd in happiness, while those aged 60 and above rank 10th. Surprisingly, the report also found that those born before 1965 tend to be happier on average than those born since 1980, with millennials’ life satisfaction decreasing with age.
In contrast, Finland has once again been ranked as the world’s happiest country for the seventh consecutive year, followed by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and Israel. On the other end of the spectrum, Afghanistan has been named the least happy country, followed by Lebanon, Lesotho, Sierra Leone, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The rankings in the report are based solely on individuals’ own assessments of their lives, rather than traditional factors like GDP per capita or social support. As happiness levels continue to fluctuate around the world, it raises questions about what truly contributes to a nation’s overall well-being.
“Infuriatingly humble tv expert. Friendly student. Travel fanatic. Bacon fan. Unable to type with boxing gloves on.”