World Happiness Report 2024 Unveils Global Wellbeing Trends, Highlighting Generational and Geographic Differences

The World Happiness Report 2024, released on the UN’s International Day of Happiness, offers an unprecedented overview of happiness across different age groups and generations, utilizing Gallup World Poll data. Finland secures the title of the happiest country globally for the seventh consecutive year, with significant shifts observed in other nations' rankings. The report showcases notable improvements in life satisfaction in countries like Serbia and Bulgaria, alongside a surprising decline in the wellbeing of young Americans, causing the U.S. to fall out of the top 20 for the first time.

For the first time, the report provides age-specific happiness rankings, revealing that Lithuania leads for those under 30, while Denmark ranks highest for individuals aged 60 and over. Interestingly, people born before 1965 report higher happiness levels compared to those born after 1980, with life satisfaction among Millennials decreasing with age, in contrast to Boomers, who see an increase.

The report's rankings are based on the populations' average life quality assessments, analyzed by experts from various disciplines to understand variations across countries and over time. Factors considered include GDP, life expectancy, social support, freedom, generosity, and perceptions of corruption.

This year's report also explores the state of happiness among children and adolescents, noting a global decline in wellbeing among the 15 to 24 age group in regions like North America and Western Europe. Additionally, it delves into the relationship between wellbeing and dementia, suggesting that higher wellbeing can reduce the risk of developing the disease.

The World Happiness Report 2024 is a collaborative effort by Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and the WHR’s Editorial Board, aiming to provide comprehensive insights for evidence-based planning and policy-making.

Credit: World Happiness Report | Country Rankings by Life Evaluations in 2021-2023