The 15 Happiest Countries in the World in 2024

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A lot goes into being happy. When many factors are just right, more people live happy lives. Self-evaluations about life and happiness were collected from many countries to evaluate just how happy its people are.

According to the World Happiness Report, these are the countries that are the happiest in the world, according to their evaluations of their lives.

Finland

Scenic summer panorama of the Market Square (Kauppatori) at the Old Town pier in Helsinki, Finland
Image Credit: Oleksiy Mark/Shutterstock.

 

There’s plenty to be happy about in Finland. It has some of the best work-life balance in the world, and workers get generous paid leave. It’s also a beautiful country to live in. Its average life evaluation got a score of 7.741 out of 10.

Denmark

The popular Nyhavn area at Copenhagen, Denmark, with a street light and bicycles in front of the colorful houses
Image Credit: Sven Hansche/Shutterstock.

 

Nordic countries tend to have high happiness scores across the board. They have strong social programs that keep people from many of the worries felt elsewhere. Denmark has a score of 7.583.

Iceland

Stykkisholmur colorful icelandic houses. Stykkisholmur is a town situated in the western part of Iceland, in the northern part of the Saefellsnes peninsula
Image Credit: Mihai_Andritoiu/Shutterstock.

 

Iceland has long been known as one of the happiest countries. With very little crime and a bustling tourism economy, people there see many positive things around them. This small country has a score of 7.525.

Sweden

Stockholm old town (Gamla Stan) cityscape from City Hall top, Sweden
Image Credit: Mistervlad/Shutterstock.

 

Unsurprisingly, Scandinavia is still one of the happiness hotspots of the world. Strong social programs and high wages have given people a lot of freedom and independence. The country has a score of 7.344.

Israel

Jerusalem, Israel old city at the Western Wall and the Dome of the Rock.
Image Credit: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock.

 

These evaluations were largely made before the war, and this ranking may not reflect the stress of war. However, during peacetime, the people of this country are among the happiest in the world. Israel has a score of 7.341.

Netherlands

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - Architecture of colorful old buildings alond Amstel canal in Amsterdam. Famous destination for traveller in Europe.
Image Credit: Aeypix/Shutterstock.

 

This country is known for its relaxed vibe and its many social programs that prevent a lot of stress. It’s consistently been among the world’s happiest countries for years. It scores a 7.319.

Norway

Amazing nature view with fjord and mountains. Beautiful reflection. Location: Scandinavian Mountains, Norway. Artistic picture. Beauty world. The feeling of complete freedom
Image Credit: Olena Tur/Shutterstock.

 

Like the rest of Scandinavia, good wages and strong social programs have left the people of this country pretty happy. The amazing scenery doesn’t hurt, either. Norway gets a score of 7.302.

Luxembourg

Luxembourg city, the capital of Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, view of the Old Town and Grund
Image Credit: Boris Stroujko/Shutterstock.

 

With a score of 7.122, this tiny nation is one of the top happiness scorers. It’s a country that has generous paid leave policies and other safeguards that keep people happier than in most of the world.

Switzerland

Historical Thun city and lake Thun with snow covered Bernese Highlands swiss Alps mountains in background, Canton Bern, Switzerland
Image Credit: Boris Stroujko/Shutterstock.

 

The people of Switzerland rate their happiness highly. Maybe it’s the amazing site of the Alps, the skiing, or the helpful labor laws that allow so much paid leave. Switzerland earned a 7.060.

Australia

The city skyline of Sydney, Australia. Circular Quay and Opera House. touristic points, travel photo, sunny day
Image Credit: Ira Sokolovskaya/Shutterstock.

 

Sure, all the wildlife is trying to kill Australians, but they still rate their happiness as high. It could be the flawless beaches and laid-back atmosphere of this Commonwealth country. It has a score of 7.057.

New Zealand

View of the Wellington Cable Car in New Zealand
Image Credit: Victor Maschek/Shutterstock.

 

Outside of Europe, the Australasian countries score well for happiness. New Zealand has a lot of positives going for it, including paid leave rules that can prevent certain stress. The country has a score of 7.029.

Costa Rica

Night scene of the square in front of the famous National Theater of Costa Rica in San Jose
Image Credit: Mihai-Bogdan Lazar/Shutterstock.

 

The Americas have entered the chat. Costa Rica is a strikingly beautiful country that is safer than many other countries in the region. It also has plenty of tourist money coming in. It has a score of 6.955.

Kuwait

Beautiful Sunset of Kuwait City Landscape
Image Credit: Anson Fernandez Dionisio/Shutterstock.

 

One of the richest countries in the world, most people in this country are well off. They have fewer worries than in countries with high poverty levels and low wages. This country scores a 6.951.

Austria

Beautiful of Aerial panoramic view in a Autumn season at a historic city of Salzburg with Salzach river in beautiful golden evening light sky and colorful of autumn at sunset, Salzburger Land, Austria
Image Credit: Nok Lek Travel Lifestyle/Shutterstock.

 

In a country with such a rich history, historic significance, and opulent architecture, it’s easier to be happy. The people of Austria give themselves a score of 6.905.

Canada

Aerial image of Stanley Park, Coal Harbor and Vancouver, BC, Canada
Image Credit: Russ Heinl/Shutterstock.

 

Canada has been known for a long while to have one of the highest standards of living in the world. The country has several important social programs to take many burdens off the shoulders of Canadians. It has a score of 6.900.

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Farming and cultivations in Latin America. Portrait of middle aged hispanic farmer sitting proud in his tractor at sunset, holding the steering wheel. He looks at the camera and smiles happy.
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Some states have a high population density and many population centers. Others are mostly rural and may have little population. The difference between the top and bottom states in terms of population is enormous.

According to World Population Review, these are the top 15 states for population.

The 15 States Bursting at the Seams With People

These 15 States Are the Safest States in the USA

old man enjoying life at full by travelling around world sittig on the seaside against lighthouse on sunny Autumn day.
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Some states are safer than others, and this is a big influence on where people move. Places with a low level of public safety have a lot of crime, and this can prevent the public from wanting to move there and even visit.

There are various types of crime, with violent crime and property crime being highly important to the public safety rating of each state.

These 15 States Are the Safest States in the USA

The 11 Most Dishonest Cities in America

Outdoors portrait of middle age man at the spring, summer or autumn day.
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Picture this: you find a stack of cash. Do you pocket the unexpected windfall, or do you take the noble route and hand it in to the police?

In this scenario, a significant 47% of Americans admit they would keep the found money, assuming no one saw their stroke of luck. Interestingly, gender doesn’t play a big role, with both women (47.4%) and men (46.6%) expressing similar inclinations to be tempted by the cash.

The 11 Most Dishonest Cities in America

The 15 Countries That Have More Filthy Rich People Than Others

Cute young brunette girl in sunglasses walks along the Los Angeles waterfront with palm trees and streets on a summer day.
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There are rich people around the world, but there are some areas that have more wealthy residents than others. When looking at how many millionaires there are in each country, it isn’t even remotely even.

There are major wealth centers in certain countries that represent far more wealth than exists in other areas. It’s amazing how many millionaires there are; this is where they’re located.

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15 Countries That You Will Probably Regret Traveling To

 

Portrait of confident young black woman looking serious at camera. Independent african american female on the city background.
Image Credit: VN_KK/Shutterstock,

 

There are some countries where the majority of visitors love their experience. However, there are other countries that people come back from and never recommend to anyone. These countries often have circumstances that make the trip miserable so that visitors can’t wait to leave and go home.

15 Countries That You Will Probably Regret Traveling To

 

 

 

 

Author: Lizz Shepherd

Bio:

Lizz Shepherd is a freelance writer living in Alabama.

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