Finland has been voted the happiest nation in the world for the seventh time in a row. What separates us from them?
After losing 11 places in the United Nations happiness ranking last year, Brazil partially recovered in 2024 and rose five places to 44th place. In the first edition, in 2012, Brazil occupied 25th place, and reached its best position, 17th, in 2016. It has been declining ever since. Finland has been voted the happiest nation in the world for the seventh time in a row. What separates us from them?
143 countries were evaluated and the final report was published last Wednesday (20/03), World Happiness Day. The Nordic countries dominated the ranking, with Denmark, Iceland and Sweden following Finland. Afghanistan came in last place, and countries like the United States and Germany were left out of the twenty happiest nations for the first time in more than a decade. Even the most populous countries did not make it onto the short list of the “G-20” of happiness.
The 10 happiest countries in the world in 2024; Brazil is in the top 50
The United Nations survey (based on individual self-assessments) takes into account factors such as satisfaction, freedom, generosity, life expectancy, perception of corruption, social security, closeness to nature, work-life balance, income, trust in institutions , free access to quality healthcare and education, among others.
The welfare society advocated by the Finns, combined with trust in institutions, freedom, autonomy and free access to healthcare and education can explain the result, unlike other rich countries where the predominant culture often confuses happiness with financial success, which can generate work overload, stress, frustration and insecurity.
You cannot be happy in an absolutely unequal country
The result brings an interesting reflection. If we are only in an intermediate position in the global happiness ranking, data from recent reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that we are always in the top positions in rates of depression and anxiety in the world.
Further from happiness and closer to mental health under control, which inspires attention and care, these seem to be themes that reflect the same side of the coin and that share a number of common causes.
It is not possible to be happy in an absolutely unequal country, where a large part of the population lives in poverty, is more subject to violence of various kinds and is exposed to a series of prejudices and exclusions. But it is possible to become physically, emotionally and mentally ill. Perhaps among the more privileged classes, a minority that does not reflect the reality of the country, self-assessments are different, even if this result only reinforces how these elites can be detached from what happens around them.
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For the mass of the Brazilian population, struggling to secure a minimum income and food, with little social security, facing the daily life of an education and healthcare system that does not meet demands, with a low level of trust and hope in institutions and authorities , it becomes much more difficult to achieve well-being, quality of life and mental health. If it is becoming increasingly difficult to escape anxiety and depression, what can be said about the expectation of feeling happy? Would this be a plausible reality?
Without addressing the inequalities, desperation, lack of trust, exclusions, abandonment and social violence that are part of Brazil’s reality, we will continue to suffer positions in the happiness rankings that do not reflect the country’s potential. In return, we will continue to be champions and record holders of anxiety and depression. Don’t we deserve more?
*Jairo Bouer is a psychiatrist and writes weekly for Terra Você.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
