Regina 
Canada slipped two positions compared to last year, finds the 2024 edition of the World Happiness Report.
The World Happiness Report highlights the state of happiness across the world and is based on life evaluations based on six factors from the Gallup World Poll, which asks individuals to rate their own current lives on a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 being the best possible life and 0 being the worst.
The six variables the report uses to explain the variation in happiness across countries are GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and corruption. However, the happiness rankings are not based on any index of these factors but are instead based on individuals’ assessments of their lives from 2021 to 2023.
According to the World Happiness Report, Canada is the 15th happiest country.
The list of the top twenty-five happiest countries is led by Finland, followed closely by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and Israel, rounding out the top five. The United States ranks 23rd.
Disparities in happiness rankings between the younger and older generations:
One of the significant findings in this year’s report is the disparities in happiness rankings between the younger and older generations reveal notable geographical patterns, particularly when contrasting experiences in North America and Central/Eastern Europe.
Credit: World Happiness Report
Per the report, in countries like the United States and Canada, individuals aged 60 and older enjoy rankings significantly higher—by over 50 places—compared to their counterparts under 30.
For individuals under 30, Canada is ranked 58th and the United States 62nd. However, among those over 60, Canada climbs to 8th and the United States to 10th, showcasing a significant shift in happiness levels with age.
Conversely, Central and Eastern Europe exhibit an opposite trend, where the younger population’s happiness rankings surpass those of the elderly by more than 40 places.
Top twenty-five happiest countries – 2024:
- Finland
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Sweden
- Israel
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Luxembourg
- Switzerland
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Costa Rica
- Kuwait
- Austria
- Canada
- Belgium
- Ireland
- Czechia
- Lithuania
- United Kingdom
- Slovenia
- United Arab Emirates
- United States
- Germany
- Mexico
Bottom 10 countries – 2024
However, not all countries fare well in the Happiness Report. Afghanistan is in the last position, with Lebanon in the second-to-last position. These countries face significant challenges, including political instability, conflict, and economic hardship, which negatively impact the happiness and well-being of their populations.
- Afghanistan
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Sierra Leone
- Congo
- Zimbabwe
- Botswana
- Malawi
- Eswatini
- Zambia
