On March 20, the list of the world’s happiest countries was published by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Finland tops the list for the sixth time in a row. But the country’s citizens say the ranking points to a more complex reality.
Nina Hansen, a school teacher living in Kokola, said, “We don’t want to say that we are actually very happy. Because I am a bit skeptical about this word ‘happy’.
Hansen and others were interviewed to find out what makes the people of Finland so happy. The list includes Zimbabwean immigrants, violinists, former Olympians and retired farmers.
In this regard, Professor Arto O. of the University of Eastern Finland. Salonen said Finns find satisfaction in living sustainably and realizing financial success by being able to identify and meet basic needs.
Timu Kiski, CEO of Finnish Design Shop, says ‘happiness’ – sometimes it’s a mild word and it’s used just for a smiley face. But I think ‘happiness’ means something in a more fundamental or larger sense.
Usually on the eve of Happy Day on March 20 every year, the United Nations publishes the list of happiest countries. Finland tops the list for the sixth time in a row out of 137 countries. Denmark and Iceland are second and third after Finland in the list of happiest countries. Fourth is Israel and fifth is the Netherlands. The top 10 happiest countries are followed by Sweden (sixth), Norway (seventh), Switzerland (eighth), Luxembourg (ninth) and New Zealand (tenth).
Nepal’s position is 78 among South Asian countries. Pakistan 108, Sri Lanka 112, India 126th position. And the position of Bangladesh is 118th.
The list of happiest countries is measured on a scale of zero to 10 based on people’s own assessment of happiness, as well as economic and social conditions. In addition, each country’s people’s sense of personal well-being, personal freedom, GDP and level of corruption are taken into consideration.
While listing the happiest countries of 2022, priority has been given to the corona epidemic. Corona has put the whole world in a terrible uncertainty. According to the report, Covid-19 has increased the cost of living and increased unemployment. This has also affected the index.
Apart from this, the Russia-Ukraine war started from February 2022 to deal with the shock of the corona epidemic. The war has plunged the whole world into dire straits. There is unemployment and inflation around the world. The prices of various products including food and fuel have increased in the country. This year’s happiness index also reflected the Ukraine war.
