Top 10 happiest countries in the world

We live in a world where even happiness is taken for granted. But on the contradiction, there are communities where people believe in keeping their spirits high and in turn make everybody around them happy too. As Mahatma Gandhi rightly said, “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony”, we list top 10 countries where people live by this reason, experiencing true happiness. Check out our top 10 happiest countries in the world.

 10. Australia

Finding a place in the happiest countries in the World? Go Australia- rated highly in education and personal freedom, the beautiful nation beams with optimism! With over 70% of the population in the working age group having a paid job, and a life expectancy of 83 years, living in Australia makes for good living. The only major developed nation to avoid the 2009 global recession, Australia performs exceptionally well in well-being parameters. A vibrant democracy, Australia witnessed a voter turnout of 93%, which lies well above the global average. With high satisfactions level, Australians make Australia one of the happiest countries in the World.

 9. Luxembourg

 When it comes to happiness, the size of a country doesn’t matter. This fact is exemplified by the entry of Luxembourg, a tiny nation with a population of just over half a million, makes it to list of the happiest countries of the World. Backed by well placed systems in Health and an atmosphere conducive to Entrepreneurship & Opportunity, the World has many lessons to learn from this European nation.  High levels of education, life expectancy, civil participation contribute to making the citizens of Luxembourg a happy bunch, paving way for the country to count among the happiest countries in the world.

 8. Netherlands

 Ranking high on Social Capital and Health, the Netherlands finds a place among the happiest countries in the world. With over 90% of the Dutch satisfied with their lives, a life expectancy of over 80 years, and around three quarters of the population in the working age group having a paid job, Netherlands makes a happy country! While money can’t buy happiness, it is a means to achieve better living standards. With a per capita income of over $ 25,000, the Netherlands fair well when analyzed in the Global context.

 7. Finland

 Finland, a part of the Scandinavian countries, which are perceived to be the happiest countries in the World, makes its presence felt in the club of happiest countries. Rated high on Entrepreneurship & Opportunity and Safety & Security, Finland boasts of the World’s best school education system, topping consistently year after year, in the PISA study on education sector. Performing well on the dynamics of health, education, quality of life, economic and political environment, the Finns are pretty content with their lives. With good performance on a host of parameters, Finland’s presence on the happiest countries list springs no surprise.

 6. Denmark

 Raising themselves among the happiest people on the planet, the Danes ensure that their homeland, Denmark ranks highly among the happiest countries of the world. Counting among the best places for Entrepreneurship & Opportunity and Social Capital, Denmark also fares well on life expectancy, a sense of social support, freedom to make choices and a culture of generosity. Led by a polity, widely perceived to be non-corrupt and efficient, the Danes are a group well involved in the political dynamics of their nation. The Danish healthcare system is one which the World envies, and as the adage goes that a happy mind resides in a healthy body, Denmark is one of the happiest countries of the world.

 5. New Zealand

 An island country located in the south-western Pacific ocean, New Zealand is not only one of the most beautiful places, but also one of the happiest countries in the world.  With a robust education system, good governance model and rich social capital, New Zealand marches its way to the happiest places to live in. Residents of New Zealand are found to be pretty satisfied with their lives, and are active participants in the civil society. The country features as an exotic tourist destination, with its rich natural heritage. With all its qualities, New Zealand deservedly finds a seat among the happiest countries of the world.

 4. Sweden

 Like its Nordic neighbors, Sweden also features prominently in the list of happiest countries in the world. Living with a combination of high interpersonal trust and an individualistic social culture, the Swedes rate themselves to be a pretty happy bunch. Ranking as the top nation on the parameter of Entrepreneurship and Opportunity, Sweden is also renowned for its egalitarianism. Scoring well on environmental quality, health and life satisfaction, Sweden, the most populous among the Scandinavian countries, secures a place for itself in the upper tier of the list of happiest countries in the world.

 3. Canada

 The only country from the Americas to make it to the top 10 happiest countries in the world, Canada ranks highly on the parameter of happiness of its denizens! Powered by high ratings in personal freedom and education, Canada stands high on the happiness ladder. The cold and harsh winters are no deterrent to the spirit of Canadians, who are a merry lot. Canada manages to do well in the parameters of per capita income, life expectancy, perceived national corruption and freedom to make life choices, all of which are found to be correlated to happiness and well-being. These factors make Canada, one among the happiest countries of the world.

 2. Switzerland

 The tiny landlocked nation of Switzerland is home to the happiest people in the world. According to a World Economic Forum report, Switzerland invests more of health, education and talent of its citizens than any other country in the World. Leveraging the investments in human capital, facilitated by a good governance system, Switzerland zooms its way up in the happiest countries index. As far as health and wellness is concerned, considering factors like, longevity, infant mortality and general state of health of its population, Switzerland is the best in the world. A vibrant economy provides the thrust which places Switzerland among the happiest countries in the world

 1. Norway

Leading the table of happiest countries in the world, is Norway with exceptional performance in economy and social capital sub-indices. The Norwegians ace it multiple parameters. From having the highest per capita GDP of $ 53,000 per year, to over 95% of the population being satisfied with their standards of living, Norway has all it takes to be the happiest nation! Interpersonal trust among Norwegians is unparalleled. This Scandinavian nation, blessed by vast resources of oil and gas, is a welfare state, which ensures equality of all citizens.  Considering all the positives that Norway offers, it indeed turns out to be the happiest country in the world.

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