The World's Happiest Countries of 2024 have been announced, with Finland maintaining its top position for the seventh consecutive year. In the latest rankings released by a US-based organization on International Happiness Day, Finland's consistency in happiness remains unmatched. However, India's placement at 126th remains unchanged from the previous year, amidst neighbouring countries like Nepal, Pakistan, China, and Myanmar surpassing it in happiness levels. The evaluation criteria for happiness encompass various factors such as life satisfaction, GDP per capita, social support, life expectancy, freedom, philanthropy, and corruption. Among the top 10 Nordic countries, Finland leads the pack, followed by Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden.

Tragically, Afghanistan finds itself at the bottom of the list of 143 countries surveyed, marking a stark contrast to its situation a decade ago. The absence of the United States and Germany from the top 20 is notable, with Costa Rica and Kuwait entering this elite group. Notably, the largest countries in the world are excluded from the happiness index. The report also highlights a decline in happiness in certain regions between 2006 and 2010, while others, particularly in Eastern Europe, have shown significant improvement.

Insights from researchers shed light on Finland's happiness, attributing it to factors such as proximity to nature, strong interpersonal relationships, and a healthy work-life balance. Additionally, Finnish society's definition of a successful life differs from that of countries like the United States, emphasizing the importance of non-economic indicators. Moreover, free healthcare and education, along with a robust welfare system and low corruption levels, contribute to Finland's overall happiness.

Interestingly, the report indicates a trend where younger generations are generally happier than their older counterparts, albeit with exceptions in certain regions. Inequality has also seen an alarming rise across the globe, except in Europe. These findings underscore the complex interplay of socio-economic factors influencing global happiness trends.