The world map shown above depicts the happiness level of every country. The data on the happiness map is based on the annual World Happiness Report (WHR), which takes into account different factors in determining a country’s rank, including its gross domestic product, overall health, social support, and freedoms.
Finland is the happiest country in the world, with a score of 7.7, owing to the Scandinavian country’s “overall sense of personal safety”. Its capital, Helsinki, is ranked as the world’s happiest city, according to a Forbes report citing the 2020 WHR.
Meanwhile, Finland’s home continent of Europe is also the happiest, with an average score of 6.3. In fact, the 2020 WHR shows that more than half of the world’s top 20 happiest countries come from Europe. The United States is part of the top 20 list as well, ranking at number 18.
On the other hand, Africa is the unhappiest continent, with an average happiness score of only 4.4. It also has some of the least happy countries, with South Sudan (scoring 2.9) ranking the lowest among all countries recorded on the map.
Planning to meet the happy ones and visit these joyful nations? Check out these books and make your travel worthwhile:
- The Finnish Way: Finding Courage, Wellness, and Happiness Through the Power of Sisu
- The Promise of Canada: People and Ideas That Have Shaped Our Country
- Australia: People, Places and Events that Shaped the Amazing History of Australia
- Why Taiwan Matters: Small Island, Global Powerhouse
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