The World Happiness Report 2024 reveals Finland as the happiest country, while the UK drops to 20th place amid concerns over youth happiness and the negative impact of social media on mental health.
The World Happiness Report of 2024 has unveiled its latest rankings, positioning Finland as the leading nation in terms of happiness for the seventh year in a row. The study, principally conducted by the University of Oxford and incorporating data from Gallup, assessed the life satisfaction levels across 143 countries, employing a scoring mechanism that ranged from zero to 10.
In a notable shift, the United Kingdom has witnessed a decline in its happiness ranking, settling at the 20th position, down from its standing in the previous year. This year’s report underscores a global concern regarding the dipping levels of happiness among the youth, resulting in a downward trend in happiness rankings for several European countries, including the UK. A significant disparity in happiness between older and younger generations was highlighted in countries such as Norway, Sweden, Germany, France, and Spain, with the latter group’s well-being appearing notably diminished.
The United States has also seen a decline in happiness, falling out of the top 20 for the first time since the inception of the report in 2012. This downtrend is mirrored in the reported happiness levels of different age groups, with older generations reportedly feeling happier on average than those born after 1980.
Amid these findings, concern has been raised by experts such as Professor Jan-Emmanuel De Neve of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre about the declining life satisfaction among children and adolescents, stressing the necessity for policy interventions aimed at reversing this trend.
In addition, US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has voiced concerns over the impact of unregulated social media on the younger generation’s happiness, comparing it to driving without speed limits. Dr. Murthy calls for regulatory actions on social media platforms to mitigate their adverse effects on mental health, emphasizing the need for mechanisms that curb addictive features and foster healthier online interactions.
Other observations from the report include Finland’s consistent performance, contrasting with the notable absence of the United States and Germany from the top 20. Eastern European countries have seen improvements in their happiness scores, reshuffling the rankings, whereas Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the list. Notably, despite the conflict with Hamas in Gaza, Israel achieved a remarkable 5th place in the rankings.
The World Happiness Report thus highlights shifting patterns in global happiness, pointing towards significant generational divides and the impacts of digital technology on well-being.
