Finland again tops list of happiest countries

Finland has maintained its position as the world's happiest country for the fourth year in a row, according to a Gallup report released on Friday. Its position was not affected by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Poland fell from 36th to 39th place.

The past year has been extremely difficult for people around the world, wrote in a commentary to the Gallup Institute's report on the happiness of people in different countries. The coronavirus pandemic not only killed more than 2.6 million people worldwide but also caused enormous upheavals in everyday life.

"The pandemic reminds us of global threats to the environment, the urgent need for cooperation, and difficulties in establishing cooperation both in each country separately and in the world," Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, the co-editor of the report, director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, wrote.

The World Happiness Report 2021 was compiled a bit differently this time due to the coronavirus pandemic. Not only were researchers unable to conduct face-to-face interviews in many countries, but they also had to change methods focusing on the link between welfare and the Covid-19 pandemic. The report is mainly based on the level of GDP, life expectancy, social support, level of freedom.

The researchers say the fact that Finland has once again held the top position is not surprising as the country has always held a high position in terms of mutual trust among citizens. Trust, including in authorities, is recognized as one of the main factors that helped protect people during the pandemic.

Of the 149 countries included in the report, Afghanistan again proved to be the most unhappy country, followed by Zimbabwe, Rwanda, and Botswana.

The top 20 countries last year are Finland, Iceland, Denmark, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Norway, New Zealand, Austria, Israel, Australia, Ireland, the USA, Canada, Czech Republic, Belgium, Great Britain, China, and France.

(PAP)