Why is Finland the Happiest Country in the World?
Did you know that the UN’s 2021 World Happiness Report announced Finland happiest country in the world for the fourth consecutive year? We cannot help but wonder why Finnish people are happier than the rest of us. We have gathered all our resources to shed some light on the topic and try to reveal what makes for a happy country.
Finland is the happiest country in the world for the fourth consecutive year according to the World Happiness Report 2021. ©Tapio Haaja/Unsplash
In this article, we will discuss our findings and give you some interesting insight into the Finnish way of life. What are the things Finland and Finnish people in particular do or do not do, which helps keep the happiness levels in the country high? We recommend you stay tuned and read below to find out why is Finland the happiest country.
Factors Making Finland the Happiest Country in the World
In the next paragraphs, we have summarised the most interesting facts we learned about Finland, which we believe may help explain the higher levels of happiness in the country. Is it the good economic conditions? The picturesque landscape and nature? Well, let us start answering all these questions one by one.
We will briefly review the factors evaluated by the World Happiness Report. According to it, there are six main environmental drivers, which explain most of the variations in the happiness levels across the world. These are health, trust, generosity, someone to count on, income, and freedom. Interestingly, and despite the cold weather, Nordic countries rank in the top five happiest countries worldwide. Finland is first, followed by Denmark, Switzerland, Iceland, and the Netherlands.
Online Casinos: The Sheer Enjoyment
Gambling is a popular entertaining activity among Finns. Currently, there are only a couple of land-based casinos in Finland. Online gambling, however, is a whole different thing. Many of the most popular brands, such as LeoVegas and 888casino operate for players from the country. Finns can enjoy a variety of online casino games like slots, roulette, blackjack, poker, and more. When playing responsibly and with caution, high-quality online casinos in Finland bring lots of fun and excitement.
A Magnificently Diverse Landscape and Nature
Finland is a Nordic country. It is in Northern Europe. Its territory is about 130,678 square miles or approximately 338,455 square kilometres, with a population of 5.5 million. The beautiful country is home to thousands of lakes and islands. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in Finland, forests cover more than 75% of the country’s land area. About 13% of the Finnish forests are protected or under restricted use.
There are seven UNESCO World Heritage sites in Finland. Among them is the Kvarken Archipelago. This is yet another mesmerising part of the country. It is located in the Gulf of Bothnia, which is an extension of the Baltic Sea to the North. It features the so-called “De Geer moraines”, which are washboard moraines unusually shaped by the melting of glaciers 10,000 to 24,000 years ago. A site worth seeing!
Economic Situation in Finland
Finland has a highly industrialised mixed economy. It has continued to grow despite any turbulence throughout the years and is among the best ones in the European Union. According to Statista, the country’s GDP in 2020 was 236 billion EUR. There is an excellent educational system and a high literacy rate.
Did you know that Finland’s government provides new parents with baby starter packages? They include everything the baby needs for the first year of his or her life, including clothes, blankets, toys, books, and more. This is an excellent way to help new parents and support a higher birth rate in the country.
Finland offers its residents multiple employment opportunities. The average salary level in the country is also high. Finally, Finland’s healthcare system is another one of the country’s benefits. Finland offers its residents universal healthcare with multiple high-quality public and private hospitals.
Levels of Safety and Security Among Finns
On another note, crime rates in Finland are fairly low, which means the country is safe to visit and live in. Safety and security contribute greatly towards the overall happiness levels of Finns. This is another one of the important indicators measured by the UN team in the research for the annual World Happiness Report.
Finnish People’s Attitude Towards Life
Ultimately, the happiness of Finnish people lies within their overall attitude towards life. Obviously, this would not have been possible without the existence of a stable, safe, and secure environment giving a basis for it. Hundreds of years ago, the concept of “sisu” emerged, which is a Finnish term closely related to the country’s culture.
Essentially, “Sisu” means showing an extreme determination and dedication in the face of adversity. Not merely surviving in a difficult situation but ending up thriving even if it means you failed multiple times before succeeding. This is something that has been somewhat encoded in the minds of Finns and has helped them endure all sorts of difficulties throughout the centuries of their existence.
People in Finland know how to treat themselves well. They spend a lot of time outdoors, hiking, skiing, etc. An interesting fact we came upon is that there are around 3 million saunas in the country. This is an astonishing number considering that Finland has a population of 5.5 million. Saunas hold an essential place in Finnish culture as a way to take care of your well-being daily.
Another interesting fact is that Finns love coffee. The country is among the nations with the highest coffee consumption. The average person in Finland drinks between three and five cups of the energising beverage in a single day. So maybe this is another one of the country’s secrets to happiness.
Why is Finland the Happiest Country in the World: Conclusion
The World Happiness Report announced the Finland happiest country 2021 winner for a variety of reasons. The country offers a range of benefits for its residents. It has an amazing landscape and nature, excellent economic conditions, high levels of safety and security. Finns have an overall calm and comfortable lifestyle and generally take care of their well-being. Following our research, we would not be surprised if Finland’s happiest country title remains in the years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
You have successfully reached the end of this article. Hopefully, we have managed to shed light on why is Finland the happiest country in the world for four years in a row. If you still have any questions whatsoever, please have a look at our helpful FAQ section below.
Is Finland the happiest country in the world?
Yes, the World Happiness Report 2021 published by the UN announced Finland as the happiest country in the world. This is the fourth year in a row, the country ranks number one in the report. Out of the 149 evaluated countries, Finland appears to score highest on all criteria used for the purposes of the ranking.
Why is Finland the happiest country for 2021 in the world?
What makes Finland the happiest country in the world is a question asked by many. There are multiple factors explaining the higher levels of happiness among Finns. Finland is one of the most developed countries in Europe offering a wide range of benefits to its residents, including safety, high-quality healthcare, income, trust, and more.
What is the Finns' attitude towards life?
Finns base their lifestyle on the popular Finnish concept "sisu". It dates back hundreds of years and means not only surviving but also thriving in difficult situations. Finns pay attention to their well-being and rightfully so. They drink lots of coffee, visit the popular Finnish saunas on a daily basis, and try to keep themselves well-entertained.
Is online gambling a popular entertaining activity among Finns?
Yes, online casinos in Finland are quite popular. There are many well-known brands available for players from the country. Among the best online casinos in Finland are LeoVegas, SlotsMillion, and 888casino. They offer a wide variety of the most beloved casino games like slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and more.
Is it possible for Finland to remain the happiest country in the world?
Given our in-depth research and conclusion on why is Finland the happiest country in the world, we could safely say that this is highly possible. Finland's happiest country label is based on a comprehensive combination of factors, such as economic situation, level of safety in the country, natural resources, lifestyle, and more. And they appear to only be improving.
