The happiness scale

Happiness is the «state of being happy; being content; well-being», according to formal dictionaries. Being happy is what everyone aims for throughout their lives, even if we don’t know the exact formula for it, at least on a permanent basis. But since 2002 the World Happiness Report has been proving that happiness is quantifiable on a scale of 0 to 10, and that factors such as life expectancy, social support and a sense of freedom determine the results for each society. Mirror, mirror on the wall, is anyone happier than me? In general, yes, the Finns. Finland has topped the wellbeing podium for the seventh year running, and the secrets have been revealed. Lifestyle, food, sustainability and nature – these are the four words that have a positive impact on the community’s state of mind. It’s interesting to note that the coldest and least sunny countries are among those with the highest quality of life – or at least that’s what the statistics show. But coming back to the Nordic country’s potential, the figures show that few people live in poverty, there is a low crime rate, the GDP is high and there is a culture based on cooperation. 

Its people tend to be governed by values such as honesty, which means that relationships are based on sharing and trust. In 2022, an experiment called «lost wallet» was carried out, where the honesty of citizens was put to the test by distributing 192 wallets in 16 Finnish cities. In Helsinki, 11 out of 12 wallets were returned. The facts speak for themselves... An extremely important phrase among the locals is Kell’ onni on, se onnen kätkeköön, which means «don’t compare or brag about your happiness». In fact, the Finns don’t need public displays, and don’t look to ostentation for their happiness. Nature is an equally strong attraction, as there is plenty of it in the country. The population spends a lot of time in contact with the fauna and flora, associating them with vitality, well-being and growth. The education system is another factor to take into account, as it is known for its excellence, and punctuality, although not a constraint on Nordic satisfaction, is practised with rigour, but also demanded.
For those of you who keep wondering what’s different about the country of happiness, Finland is giving away free trips to teach strategies on how to live a full, joyful life.  Maybe this could be your pass to happiness...