NEW YORK — Move over Norway, there’s another country that’s even happier than you.
According to the World Happiness Report 2018, Norway, which was 2017’s happiest country in the world, has just been bumped from its top ranking by a Scandinavian neighbour. This year’s #1 spot has been awarded to … (drumroll please) … Finland!
The landmark survey ranked 156 countries by their happiness levels, and 117 countries by the happiness of their immigrants. The main focus of this year’s report, in addition to its usual ranking of the levels and changes in happiness around the world, is on migration within and between countries.
The top 10 positions are held by the same countries as in the last two years, although with some swapping places. All the top countries ranked high in six of the key variables that have been found to support well being: income, healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom, trust and generosity.
Canada maintained its high-ranking position, coming in at #7 for the second year in a row. The United States, however, continued its downward trajectory; it ranked 13th in 2016, 14th in 2017, and finally 18th for 2018.
Here are the top 20 happiest countries in the world:
1. Finland
2. Norway
3. Denmark
4. Iceland
5. Switzerland
6. Netherlands
7. Canada
8. New Zealand
9. Sweden
10. Australia
11. Israel
12. Austria
13. Costa Rica
14. Ireland
15. Germany
16. Belgium
17. Luxembourg
18. United States
19. United Kingdom
20. United Arab Emirates