The 20 Happiest Countries In The World In 2021 (Guess Where The U.S. Ranked?)

[OMB]

World’s 20 Happiest Countries

Finland
Iceland
Denmark
Switzerland
Netherlands
Sweden
Germany
Norway
New Zealand
Austria
Israel
Australia
Ireland
United States
Canada
Czech Republic
Belgium
United Kingdom
Taiwan
France

Launched in 2012, the World Happiness Report is an annual survey conducted by the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Solutions Network. The survey ranks global happiness in countries around the world. Typically, the statisticians base the ranking on data from the Gallup World Poll. But this year was a bit different. Since the researchers were unable to do face-to-face interviews in a number of countries, they focused on the relationship between well-being and Covid-19 in order to rank the countries

“Surprisingly there was not, on average, a decline in well-being when measured by people’s own evaluation of their lives,” said University of British Columbia professor John Helliwell, one of the people behind the report. “One possible explanation is that people see Covid-19 as a common, outside threat affecting everybody and that this has generated a greater sense of solidarity and fellow-feeling.”

Read Full article here :
https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2021/03/19/the-20-happiest-countries-in-the-world-in-2021/?sh=2b2207ec70a0

 

[Mamoon]

Not a single Muslim country in the top 20.

 

[Varun]

These arbitrary rankings come out seemingly every 2-3 months.

Like a roulette wheel.

 

[Technics 1210]

Taiwan? Hmm

 

[Tubs]

All secular or de-facto secular (in the case of the UK), lovely to see.

 

[Bigboii]

All secular or de-facto secular (in the case of the UK), lovely to see.

Israel, to some extent US... (probably many other 'secular" countries with rw christian leanings but I don't know their politics)

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Not a single Muslim country in the top 20.

The Gulf countries should stop subsidising their citizens, perhaps they would be happier if they had to work for their money.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Always find it fascinating that the Scandinavian countries top these polls, aren't they considered socialist countries by and large? Does that play a part?

 

[Robert]

Always find it fascinating that the Scandinavian countries top these polls, aren't they considered socialist countries by and large? Does that play a part?

Nordic capitalist model. High taxation and strong social programmes, meaning lots of free education, lots of free health care and low crime.

 

[Bigboii]

Nordic capitalist model. High taxation and strong social programmes, meaning lots of free education, lots of free health care and low crime.

on lower or middle class, higher income classes have comparatively less taxes

 

[Technics 1210]

Nordic capitalist model. High taxation and strong social programmes, meaning lots of free education, lots of free health care and low crime.

They also have a small population which plays a role.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Nordic capitalist model. High taxation and strong social programmes, meaning lots of free education, lots of free health care and low crime.

Not really what I would call capitalist from my understanding, at least it seems to be weighted heavily towards a social model, which is what I think government should be about.

 

[Mamoon]

The Gulf countries should stop subsidising their citizens, perhaps they would be happier if they had to work for their money.

I don’t know much about other gulf countries, but Emiratis are very happy and content people. Perhaps they are not happy enough to be ranked in the top 20 because they have become a minority in their own country, thanks to the overwhelming presence of South Asian immigrants in the UAE.

 

[Bigboii]

Not really what I would call capitalist from my understanding, at least it seems to be weighted heavily towards a social model, which is what I think government should be about.

Capitalism is means of production in the hands of individuals/ businesses

Many gov "jobs" that are public around the world are actually privatized in Sweden etc

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

I don’t know much about other gulf countries, but Emiratis are very happy and content people. Perhaps they are not happy enough to be ranked in the top 20 because they have become a minority in their own country, thanks to the overwhelming presence of South Asian immigrants in the UAE.

Yes I did have a feeling that the votes were probably skewed by the immigrant population. Standard of living is the most important factor and the Emiratis can afford it better than most.

 

[Bigboii]

Capitalism is means of production in the hands of individuals/ businesses

Many gov "jobs" that are public around the world are actually privatized in Sweden etc

they have relatively lower taxes on the rich compare to the high taxes on lower/middle class

the schools are private (with gov help), railways are private and many other private institution that I can't remember off of the top of my head

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Capitalism is means of production in the hands of individuals/ businesses

Many gov "jobs" that are public around the world are actually privatized in Sweden etc

How are these private companies persuaded to share the wealth?

 

[Bigboii]

How are these private companies persuaded to share the wealth?

they have relatively lower taxes on the rich compare to the high taxes on lower/middle class

Maybe this?

Big companies give jobs and relatively low taxes
but juice comes out from the people themselves

 

[OMB]

Nordic countries dominate because their citizens are proud people who will rarely berate their nation's shortcomings. So their votes are almost always positive.
No wonder Asian countries don't appear in top 20 (no self pity, just a natural observation)

 

[Tubs]

Israel, to some extent US... (probably many other 'secular" countries with rw christian leanings)

Pretty sure Israel is secular formally. Doesn't change the fact it is waging ethno-fascist terrorism against the Palestinians, though.

US is constitutionally secular. Sure, it has its religious nuts, and they are many, but religion and state are very much separate.

 

[Tubs]

Nordic countries dominate because their citizens are proud people who will rarely berate their nation's shortcomings. So their votes are almost always positive.
No wonder Asian countries don't appear in top 20 (no self pity, just a natural observation)

I wouldn't think that Nordic people are especially proud, or nationalist. It is more to do with the high quality of life they have. They have one of the best social welfare systems possible, free education, healthcare, and fantastic union support so they have good wages. Sure, they pay higher tax, but that is a small price to pay for all of the benefits they receive.

 

[Bigboii]

Pretty sure Israel is secular formally. Doesn't change the fact it is waging ethno-fascist terrorism against the Palestinians, though.

US is constitutionally secular. Sure, it has its religious nuts, and they are many, but religion and state are very much separate.

nah I dont think so...
one of the few nations on the planet with a particular religion's importance written into the constitution jut look at their flag and its Jewish symbolism

 

[KingKhanWC]

Israel should be no.1. No more entity can be more happy when they are stealing land day and night.

Not surprising a Jewish extremist state up there.

The rest of the list is a joke.

Ive met people from most of the nations, Malaysians, Pakistanis and even Indians are generally more happier than USA, UK, Ireland, France etc.

 

[Tubs]

nah I dont think so...
one of the few nations on the planet with a particular religion's importance written into the constitution jut look at their flag and its Jewish symbolism

It is a grey area, for sure. For example, same-sex marriage is recognised in Israel, but would have to be performed abroad. There is obviously a lot of Jewish culture, some of which comes from the Talmud, whereas other stuff comes from non-religious Jewish tradition. It isn't quite like Iran, or even Pakistan, it's more similar to Turkey, I suppose (though Turkey is constitutionally secular).