In 2024, Finland continues to reign as the happiest country on Earth, a title it has proudly held for seven consecutive years. This Nordic gem consistently outshines global powerhouses like the US, UK, and Canada.
To understand why, let’s explore ten data-driven reasons, complemented by the firsthand experiences of Jade Ventoniemi, an American entrepreneur whose first visit to Finland changed her mind about living in the US. She has since relocated to Finland and thriving in business.
1. Exceptional Social Support
Finland’s social support systems are a model of efficiency. According to the World Happiness Report, Finland scores 9.5 out of 10 in perceived social support compared to lower scores in the US (7.1), UK (8.3), and Canada (8.9).
Jade’s observations of children and the elderly confidently navigating public spaces without fear speak volumes about the community’s cohesion and mutual support.
Jade writes in her article on CNBC: “During my (first) trip, I didn’t witness any homelessness. Kids as young as six-years-old safely took public transportation on their own, and I saw many senior citizens navigate their walkers to the grocery store with ease. Finland’s society seemed like it was built on a foundation of both independence and care, and that stayed with me.”
2. High Trust in Government
The Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International ranks Finland as one of the least corrupt nations globally, with a score of 87/100 in 2024, significantly higher than the US (67), UK (78), and Canada (79), fostering greater trust in public institutions.
“I’ve been struck by how much everyone seems to care about each other here. It seems like things are designed to make life easier and to help people thrive. New parents have generous leave packages at work. Taking time off is required by law, and there is a significant culture of pay transparency. Every year, the Finnish government shares everyone’s taxable income, and anyone can take a look,” she says.
3. Personal Freedom
Finns enjoy substantial personal freedom, with an index score of 9.7 out of 10, indicating that they feel empowered to make life choices. This compares favorably with the US (7.9), UK (8.4), and Canada (9.2), according to the World Happiness Report.
Jade’s transition from a content marketing specialist to launching her own successful firm exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit that the Finnish environment nurtures.
“At the beginning of 2024, after several years of working as a content marketing specialist, I launched my own marketing firm. My clients are Nordic companies in the tourism and retail industries. In my corporate job, my income was about $4,348 per month. Now that I’m working for myself, I made about $21,739 in the first quarter of the year,” she said.
4. Superior Environmental Quality
Finland’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in the Environmental Performance Index, where it ranks in the top three globally, a stark contrast to lower rankings for the US (24th), UK (12th), and Canada (20th).
Jade’s daily interactions with nature, from forests to lakes, underscore the accessibility and preservation of natural beauty, contributing to her mental and physical well-being.
According to Jade, “Being in nature is a daily or weekly lifestyle staple here, and many Finnish cities are located near well-marked outdoor spaces…if you walk 100 yards in front of our house, you arrive at beautiful Lake Vesijärvi. We boat on it in the summer and ice skate on it during the winter. My favorite coffee shop in the area is by another lake, Kahvila Kariranta, which I bike to most days.”
5. Balanced Work-Life
According to OECD data, Finns work approximately 1,450 hours annually, much less than the average in the US (1,767), UK (1,538), and Canada (1,703), contributing to better work-life balance and personal well-being.
6. Safety and Security
Finland is ranked as one of the safest countries on the Global Peace Index with a score of 1.488, indicating lower domestic and international conflict, and societal safety than the US (2.300), UK (1.785), and Canada (1.381).
7. Accessible Mental Health Services
Finland’s investment in mental health services per capita exceeds that in the US, UK, and Canada, leading to more widespread mental health support and lower rates of mental health disorders, as reported by the World Health Organisation.
Jade’s personal testimony about the therapeutic effects of her natural surroundings points to a culture that values mental health as much as physical.
“These daily doses of nature have improved my mental health. When I’m in the forest, my mind slows down and I breathe more deeply. It really does feel like a form of therapy,” Jade recounts.
8. High-Quality Education
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) ranks Finnish students among the top performers worldwide in reading, mathematics, and science, reflecting the high quality of its education system, ahead of the US, UK, and Canada.
Jade says, “Higher education is free for citizens or those with specific resident permits. Public transportation is functional and convenient – and parents with a stroller can even use buses or trains for free.”
9. Income Equality
According to the World Inequality Database, Finland has one of the lowest levels of income inequality in the world, with a Gini coefficient of 27.3, compared to the US (41.5), UK (35.1), and Canada (33.7), promoting a more cohesive society.
10. Cultural Emphasis on Happiness
The Finnish concept of ‘sisu’-a cultural ethos of resilience-is a testament to the national focus on well-being and contentment, a unique cultural trait that fosters community and personal happiness.
Finland not only sets a global standard for living but also offers a roadmap for other nations aspiring to improve the happiness and well-being of their citizens.
“I think that being surrounded for the last five years by a society that values slow living, nature, self-sufficiency and staying active has shaped me in significant ways. Since I’ve moved here, I’m so proud of the person that I’ve become,” Jade, who now lives in Finland with her family added.
