In 2024, Finland is again happiest country in the world - why Finns are so happy?
Finland was named the happiest country in the world for the seventh time in a row, in 2024, according to the World Happiness report.
Many are looking for the reasons, what makes Finns so happy in Finland?
What is it that makes Finland feel so good?
After living most of my life in Finland and then a few years in Spain (ranked 36th in 2024, has been dropping in the index for the past years), I think I see now clearer the reasons, why people in Finland are so happy.
Source: https://worldhappiness.report/ed/2024/
What's the secret to Finland's happiness?
In recent years, Finland has consistently ranked the best in global happiness reports, in 2024 already for the 7th time in a row!
Let's revisit Maslow's theory on basic human needs, to see what people need to be happy.
1. Finland excels in fulfilling the basic physiological needs of a person
Physiological needs are something that everybody needs. So the very basic ones!
Breathing The air quality in Finland is the cleanest in the world. It's so easy to breathe that we forget how important this is. Cleanest air in the world, yey! Benefits of clean air are obvious. Clean air also is essential for good sleep -that's why most of us Finns have slept outside in a pram as babies. Also during winter. Babies are wearing warm clothes, don't worry!
Clean air makes the best sleep, also for babies. Air quality is important and regulated also inside. Thank you for great LVI (heat, water and air) engineers of Finland who make great level living possible!
Food and water Finland has the best food in the world, according to the Global Food Security Index (2022). In this ranking, the food is evaluated by affordability, availability, quality and safety, sustainability and adaptation. To me, this was a surprise, especially when food is considered very expensive in Finland.
The Finnish tap water is so pure that I'm amazed it's not being sold worldwide (well Finns are not the best marketers..). It tastes wonderful and it's available everywhere in Finland. Finnish tap water is ranked the best in the world. It's so much better than bottled waters!
Being warm I never considered this an issue, but living in Spain proved me wrong. I bought my first fleece PJs in Spain, because there are plenty of apartments and houses that are very cold in the winter. I often wear 4 pairs of socks in Spanish winter (sport socks, normals and 2 pairs of woollen socks, layering is the key to keep warm!)
In Finland, an apartment is considered not habitable if the temperature goes below +62 °F (+17 °C) and then you just complain to the building responsible persons and get it up. Being warm is an essential part of being happy that you realize only when you are cold in your own home!
Sex. Sex is considered to be a basic need. Finns are controlled in public places (except when drinking) and according to the internet, wild in bed. Finns don't lead the statistics on how many times they have sex but maybe it's the quality then? Open communication, good sex education and freedom to express yourself are important.
Wifi. This is nowadays considered a basic need! 😄 Well, nothing frustrates like trying to connect with the world.. Finland is a tech country. We are very proud of old unbreakable Nokia phones that had battery power for a week. Many Finns have the engineer mentality and are curious on technical details.
Did you know that there are only a few places in Lapland where 4G network would not work! Mostly those areas don't have even roads or are high fells (there are no mountains in Finland). In big cities there are free Wi-Fi connections available for free and most mobile phone operators have plans with unlimited data. That really means unlimited in Finland so surf as much as you like! When visiting, purchase a prepaid SIM and you'll be fine.
2. Next level, safety needs. Finland is one of the safest countries in the world
Health. The Finnish healthcare system guarantees care for everybody. It's not free but it's very affordable. The healthcare system of Finland is one of the best in the world. According to the CEOWorld Health Care Index 2024, Finland ranks number 15 of healthiest countries in the world.
Finland used to be known for it's high suicide rate some decades ago. It was taken seriously and now, situation is a lot better. Finland halved it's suicide rate in 30 years!
Security. Rules are respected in Finland. Finland is one of the safest countries in the world for a tourist and for a citizen. Ambulance does not cost a lot (less than 30 €) and government and police are trusted. Finland is also the least corrupted country in the world (2024 stats).
Trust. Things work as expected and that creates trust. People arrive on time. Systems work. Public transportation comes and goes in time. Newspapers provide reliable information. Snow is cleared efficiently so that there are no "snow days" when people would not go to work.
People in Finland know what to do and if not, some internet page has already covered the subject and gives advice. You even know who is calling, thanks to the automatic mobile phone apps that get the caller info before you answer.
In Finland you can also trust your employer. Worker unions are strong and usually only worry are bigger negotiations of reducing personnel, but these also are informed early and last for a defined period. The law guarantees that women can return to the same job after maternity leave.
3. Higher levels: Love and belonging, esteem, confidence, respect and self-actualization in Finland - These are the things that make Finland feel so good!
Social connections. Quiet Finns are not known to be the most active people in socializing, but for example friendship connections are very stable in Finland. It may take a long time to be friends with a Finn, but it will last a lifetime.
Your own time. It's totally ok to be alone as well! Most Finns need some self-recharging time, and what is more handy than kalsarikännit - drinking alone in your underwear. I refer here to the excellent heating systems in Finland, you can be in your underwear also wintertime, no worries.
The idea here is to take time for yourself, and do something you like to unwind, for example watch tv or read a book. No need to get dressed and no pressure to see anyone!
In many countries, you don't have peace at home like in Finland. where you rarely hear noise from outside of your home, thanks to good insulation, multiple level windows and great building technique of the houses.
Belonging. Most people identify strongly being Finns. Coming from a small country also boosts togetherness whenever Finland is mentioned or recognized internationally, it's always a time to party if we won something!
Education. Finnish education is free of charge and available to all. Many believe in life-long learning and continue to educate themselves also on their free time. Finnish Schools results in PISA studies are legendary. Education gives us tools for confidence and respect, to understand the world around us and to develop it.
Nature. Finland has "Everyman's rights" so anyone can enjoy the pure, unpolluted Finnish nature. Finnish nature is present also in the bigger cities and most Finns enjoy regular walking, hiking, biking, running or even berry or mushroom picking in the nature. Being in the nature is a great way to relax and refresh.
Sauna For a Finn, the sauna is the perfect place to relax and to cleanse. Taking time to relax every week is something Finns like to do in sauna. The warmth filling your whole body relaxes not only the muscles but also the brain. Sauna has numerous health benefits and luckily it's easily available in Finland, where most homes have their own sauna. Additionally there are public saunas, and sauna is also available in sport facilities like swimming halls and gyms, hotels and even many offices!
Accomplishments. Working makes many Finns happy, it gives daily accomplishments, sense of achievement and gives us purpose. Finns are known for their hard-working mentaility. Workplaces are not hierarchical, CEO of the company talks to everyone in the elevator and yearly reviews and discussions on work goals are expected.
Unnecessary work is reduced to minimum. In Finland, most people don't worry about filling the tax forms for the past year, suggestion of taxes comes automatically to everyone and usually it's correct, you might just add some reductions.
Avoiding unnecessary work and doing things more efficiently is encouraged in all workplace development programs. We have IT systems to do repetitive work!
An example: If you move in Finland, you just inform the new address to only 1 place online, and this information is spread automatically to all governmental institutions, banks and so on. You only need to inform the address your own private orders like newspaper subscriptions and associations.
Equality. Finns believe in equality of everyone. That means that e.g. it's difficult to get rich by working in Finland, progressive taxing takes care of that.
All genders are equal by law. Women don't stay at home to take care of the children, we have public daycare for that.
Finland is often referred as one of the LGBT-friendliest countries in the world. Same-sex marriage and adoption of children was approved 2014 and legalized 2017.
Silence. Finns tend to avoid raising their voice and discussing their private matters when others could hear them, for example in public transportation. Noise is pollution too, so that's why it's so nice and peaceful to travel to work or school in Finland. A great benefit of having many introverts in the country!
On the downside :
- Living in Finland is expensive. But hey, you get a lot with what you pay for. Being rich is not the goal of most people in Finland, it's enough to live well and happy.
- Life expectancy is not the highest in Finland, especially for men. in 2024, the average life expectancy in Finland is 82 years (in 2024) ranking number 26 in the world. This is partly explained by the resistence of men attending healthcare checks, consumption of alcohol and cardiovascular diseases.
What do the Finns say, what makes them happy?
Top reasons Finns say make them happy:
- Nature
- Work-life balance
- Trust
- Education
- Small things and moments in life that bring joy, like a cup of coffee and pulla!
In conclusion, I think that Finland's remarkable happiness can be attributed to it's fulfillment of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. By prioritizing social welfare, equality and community well-being, Finland has created a society where individuals can thrive emotionally, socially and psychologically. Finland has created a compelling model of happiness rooted in the fulfillment of fundamental human needs.
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