World Happiness Report 2024

March 22, 2024

The World Happiness Report is an annual publication that ranks countries based on their happiness levels. The report evaluates various factors such as social support, income, health, freedom, generosity, and the absence of corruption to determine the overall happiness of a nation. The 2024 edition marks the seventh consecutive year that Finland has been crowned the happiest country in the world.

Methodology

The World Happiness Report sources its data from various outlets, including the Gallup World Poll. The report is a collaborative effort between the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Gallup, and the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre. It is published annually on March 20, coinciding with the International Day of Happiness.

India’s Ranking and Comparison

India ranked 126th out of 143 nations in the World Happiness Report 2024, trailing behind several countries including Pakistan, Libya, Iraq, Palestine, and Niger. This ranking highlights the need for India to focus on improving various aspects of its citizens’ well-being. Interestingly, all of India’s neighboring countries fared better in the rankings, with China securing the 60th spot, followed by Nepal (93), Pakistan (108), Myanmar (118), Sri Lanka (128), and Bangladesh (129).

Happiness and Age in India

The report revealed that older age is associated with higher life satisfaction in India, challenging the notion that this positive association only exists in high-income nations. However, gender disparities were observed, with older men reporting higher life satisfaction compared to older women on average. When considering all other factors, older women reported higher life satisfaction than their male counterparts.

Education and Caste Disparities

The study also highlighted the impact of education and social caste on life satisfaction among older adults in India. Those with secondary or higher education and those belonging to higher social castes reported higher life satisfaction compared to those without formal education and those from scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.

India’s Growing Older Population

India is home to the second-largest older population worldwide, with 140 million Indians aged 60 and above. The average growth rate for this demographic is three times higher than the overall population growth rate of the country. This underscores the importance of addressing the well-being and satisfaction of India’s aging population.

Factors Influencing Life Satisfaction

The report identified several factors associated with low life satisfaction among older Indians, including lower satisfaction with living arrangements, perceived discrimination, and poor self-rated health. These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions and policies to improve the quality of life for India’s older population.

Nordic Countries Continue to Dominate

As in previous years, Nordic countries continue to dominate the top positions in the World Happiness Report. Denmark and Iceland secured the second and third spots, respectively, while Sweden followed closely at fourth place. This consistent performance highlights the strong social support systems, high levels of trust, and well-being that characterize these nations.

New Entries and Notable Changes

The 2024 report witnessed some notable changes in the rankings. Costa Rica and Lithuania made their debut appearances in the top 20, securing the 12th and 19th positions, respectively. This achievement underscores the growing recognition of these countries’ efforts in promoting the well-being of their citizens. On the other hand, Afghanistan remained at the bottom of the list as the least happy country.

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