Finland has once again been named the happiest country in the world for the sixth consecutive year, according to the World Happiness Report.
Finland known as the “land of the midnight sun” due to its summer nights without darkness, the extra light may have contributed to Finland’s positive mood.
Denmark and Iceland ranked second and third respectively, while the US placed 16th. Afghanistan and Lebanon were named the least happy countries due to poverty, hunger, and economic crisis.
The report, which surveyed 137 countries, found a global surge of benevolence in 2020 and 2021 despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Positive emotions remained twice as prevalent as negative ones, and feelings of positive social support twice as strong as those of loneliness.
The report used six variables to determine happiness: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and perception of corruption.
