On Wednesday, March 20, the new World Happiness Report 2024 was released, encompassing data from 2021 to 2023 for 143 countries, forming the basis for the calculation of the "happiness index."
Sociologists have been computing this index since 2012, considering the level of well-being and citizens' satisfaction with their quality of life. Since 2018, the opinions of new immigrants (Olim Hadashim) have also been factored in.
For the sixth consecutive year, Finland has been named the happiest country globally.
Joining Finland in the top five this year are Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and Israel.
It's worth noting that Israel has maintained its position in the top five for the second consecutive year, marking its second appearance since the inception of the happiness index.
It appears that the tragic events of October 7, 2023, and subsequent counterterrorism efforts either were not taken into account by researchers or did not significantly affect the calculated happiness index.
Other countries in the top ten include the Netherlands, Norway, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Australia.
Canada ranks 15th, the Czech Republic 18th, the UK 20th, the USA 23rd, and Germany 24th.
Among former USSR states, Lithuania claims the highest ranking at 19th place. Estonia follows at 34th place, with Latvia at 46th, Uzbekistan at 47th, Kazakhstan at 44th, Moldova at 71st, Russia at 72nd, Kyrgyzstan at 75th, Armenia at 82nd, Tajikistan at 88th, Georgia at 91st, and Azerbaijan at 101st.
Belarus and Turkmenistan are excluded from the ranking.
The Palestinian Authority holds the 103rd position.
The least "happy" countries globally include Afghanistan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Sierra Leone, and Congo.
