Ranking of the world’s happiest countries in 2024, China is rising steadily!

The 2024 World Happiness Report, jointly released by Gallup, the United Nations and Oxford University, ranked the happiest countries based on the average life evaluation of people in 143 countries/regions from 2021 to 2023.

China ranks 60th in the world, up 4 places from last year.

The report measures happiness based on six key variables: GDP per capita, social support, life expectancy, freedom, generosity and trust in government.

Overall, eight of the ten happiest countries are in Europe, especially the Nordic countries – Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and Norway are all in the top ten. The other two are Israel and Australia.

Among the countries ranked 11th to 20th, as many as seven are in Europe, and the other three are New Zealand, Costa Rica and Kuwait.

The UK and the US both fell in the rankings, with the UK dropping one place to 20th, below countries like Lithuania and the Czech Republic, while the US dropped eight places to 23rd.

Why are Europeans the happiest?

Europeans, especially Northern Europeans, have a high happiness index. There are many reasons behind this phenomenon. Here are some of the main factors:

Europe, the most developed region in the world, is also the birthplace of modern industry and is home to the richest people in the world. According to the United Nations, there are 50 countries in Europe, 29 of which have entered the ranks of development, with developed economies, perfect social welfare systems, and unprecedentedly good quality of life for the people.

Developed European countries have the most complete social security system in the world, and citizens can enjoy full national welfare from birth to death.

This includes but is not limited to long-term maternity leave, free medical care and education, high unemployment benefits, etc. These welfare policies have effectively reduced the pressure of people’s lives and improved their overall happiness.

According to the latest data released by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in 2023, the top ten countries with the best welfare in the world. The top eight are all European countries, ranking respectively: France, Italy, Austria, Finland, Belgium, Spain, Germany, and Denmark.

The per capita GDP of developed European countries generally ranks among the highest in the world. For example, the per capita GDP of Luxembourg, Ireland and Switzerland exceeds 100,000 US dollars. These countries not only have a large economic aggregate, but also have balanced development, so that the people generally enjoy a high standard of living.

At the same time, the gap between the rich and the poor in these countries is relatively small, the social security system is perfect, and the tax system is fair, which effectively reduces the income inequality within the society. These factors jointly promote social stability and harmony, reduce the anxiety and dissatisfaction caused by economic problems, and further enhance the happiness of the people.

Developed European countries emphasize equal and fair social values, which are reflected in all aspects of politics, economy, society, etc. For example, the tax and welfare policies of Nordic countries are aimed at reducing the gap between the rich and the poor, while a high proportion of fiscal revenue is used in economic development, social security, health care and other fields. This equal social environment makes people feel more fair and satisfied.

European countries have a comfortable and healthy living environment and a high standard of quality of life. They usually have a high degree of urban greening, mild climate conditions, as well as high-quality public services, good infrastructure and convenient transportation networks.

In addition, many cities also provide rich and colorful cultural life and leisure activities, such as museums, theaters, concerts and various festivals, which allow people to fully enjoy the fun of life.