#finland-happiness-rankings

#finland-happiness-rankings

The slower, grounded pace of everyday life in Scandinavia felt like a stark contrast to life back in the British metropolis, as if someone had hit the pause button.

An increasing number of international tourists come to Finland searching for the secret to happiness, yet Lakeland is still an undiscovered gem for many. It's the region Finns themselves return to when they want to relax truly, and the perfect destination for anyone looking to step away from the noise of everyday life.

Heavy social media use contributes to a stark decline in well-being among young people, with the effects particularly worrying in teenage girls in English-speaking countries and Western Europe, according to the World Happiness Report 2026 published Thursday.

Life expectancy in the EU continues to increase, reaching 81.5 years in 2024, 0.1 years more than the previous year and higher than in 2019, the year before the pandemic (81.3). As a reference, at the height of COVID-19, in 2021, the expectation of life had declined to 80.1 years across EU countries.

Each year, the United Nations puts together a list of the happiest countries in the world, comparing a wide variety of criteria, from average incomes and healthcare standards to levels of generosity and absence of corruption. For the eighth year in a row, Finland has topped the list, winning on behalf of its people's notable friendliness, freedom of choice, and high life expectancy.

According to the institute's research professor, Jari Hakanen, working life in Finland is facing challenges posed by four negative trends. Workloads have increased, resources have declined, expectations for the future have become more uncertain, and at the same time, workers are increasingly getting burnt out.

The effort comes as competition for AI talent intensifies worldwide and tech workers in the US grapple with layoffs, burnout, and visa complications. According to BCG's 2024 talent tracker report, the US remained dominant in attracting AI talent worldwide. Already known for its tech scene, Finland, with a population of around 5.6 million, is positioning itself as a place where American tech workers can find a better work-life balance without sacrificing their careers - a notable contrast to the famous grindset of Silicon Valley.

When it comes to safe travel destinations, the Netherlands consistently ranks at the top, especially for women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ travelers. Its progressive values, strong social systems, and long-standing reputation for peace create an environment where visitors feel welcome and secure. That sense of safety and inclusion is more than anecdotal. It's reflected in how travelers recently rated the country.

A week's hiking in Jotunheimen national park (230 miles north of Oslo) last summer brought me tranquillity and peace. During four days of challenging hiking and wild camping through the area we saw hardly anyone else, having entire lush green valleys and still glacial lakes to ourselves. We were fortunate to have stunning weather throughout and, despite it being July, still had a reasonable amount of snow to traverse.