Meet the happiest countries in times of pandemic

International Happiness Day has arrived and with it the World Happiness Report. Subway highlights the most interesting facts and figures from this year’s survey results and speaks to the report’s editor, Professor John Helliwell, of the University of British Columbia and the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research.

The happiest countries are:

1. Finland
2. Denmark
3. Swiss
4. Iceland
5. Holland
6. Norway
7. Sweden
8. Luxembourg
9. New Zealand
10. Austria

The top 10 positions are occupied by the same countries as in 2017-2019. There was no decrease in well-being as measured by people’s own assessment of their lives. 149 countries are evaluated for the report.

The report is produced every year by the United Nations Network of Solutions for Sustainable Development.

The variables to support wellness are:

• Entry
• Healthy life expectancy
• Social support
• Freedom
• Trust
• Generosity

The impact of COVID-19 on the research

• Greater economic uncertainty
• Anxiety
• Change in all aspects of life
• Voltage
• Challenges to mental and physical health
• Being unemployed during the pandemic is associated with a 12% drop in life satisfaction

Social connections

People who lost their sense of belonging were less fortunate, as were people whose feelings of loneliness increased and social support declined. Many positive features of a person’s life helped protect their sense of belonging. Among them are:

• Gratitude
• Value
• Previous connections
• Volunteer work
• Do exercises
• Have a pet

The least happy countries are:

• 140. Burundi
• 141. Yemen
• 142. Tanzania
• 143. Haiti
• 144. Malawi
• 145. Lesotho
• 146. Botswana
• 147. Rwanda
• 148. Zimbabwe
• 149. Afghanistan

7 PREGUNTAS A … John Helliwell, report editor and professor at the University of British Columbia and the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research

1. Tell us about the topic of this year’s report.
—This year’s report is about life during COVID-19. This is done from two perspectives: the first assesses assessments of life and emotions in 2020, and the second asks which factors, and especially those that support happiness, have enabled countries to adopt effective strategies to control infections and deaths. to keep. The key factor connecting these two parts of the report is trust, which continues to be a strong support for happiness and has been especially important in explaining success in the fight against COVID-19. Trust in public institutions and trust in others are equally important.

2. How did people find happiness during the pandemic?
—People who were unable to travel the world for business or vacation discovered or rediscovered their neighbors and neighborhoods, which is the main support for a happier life. Helping others in times of need with a common threat brought both purpose and happiness. Those over 60, although they were the most at risk age group, found themselves more often supported and connected with their physically distant friends and family. Of course, the surveys could not reach the elderly care centers, prisons and refugee camps, where the difficulties are greatest.

3. Which country is in first place this year and why?
—Finland is back in the top spot by the widest margin in its history. The country has a very high level of social and institutional trust, which has served to support its happiness and enable a public health strategy that has led to very low death rates from COVID-19. The first places, and also the general classification, are very similar to last year.

4. What are the main changes you have seen?
– The main changes are the upward movements in two very large countries: China and India. In the case of China, the increase likely reflects a combination of success in reducing deaths from COVID-19, coupled with a strong economy and the possibility that cell phone surveys conducted this year due to COVID-19 could be different mix of respondents. In the case of India, the rise marked a welcome partial reversal of a long decline. The fact that the two largest countries are doing well today adds to population-weighted global happiness.

5. Tell us about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on happiness around the world.
Life estimates were quite resilient during the pandemic. The biggest changes are a fairly widespread increase in grief and worry. Due to the magnitude of the second wave, the full effects are still increasing.

6. What other factors have greatly influenced the happiness of people around the world?
People’s lives have changed in almost every way: income, social connection, public trust, unemployment and the nature of work and family life have changed. And these consequences have been felt unequally. This year’s report pays a lot of attention to how different genders and age groups feel the impact.

7. Will the world be happier in 2021?
—This is the key question, which will be answered in the 10th anniversary issue of the World Happiness Report in 2022.

Here you can read the report:

WHR + 21 by Metro Puerto Rico on Scribd

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