Finland has been named the happiest country on this planet — again.
The Nordic country topped the “World Happiness Report 2023,” published this week by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, which measures aspects comparable to income, mental and physical health and societal generosity.
In line with the report: “Finland continues to occupy the highest spot, for the sixth yr in a row, with a rating that’s significantly ahead of all other countries.”
But there is not any national secret behind Finnish happiness, said Heli Jimenez, senior director on the governmental organization Business Finland.
Moderately, it’s “a skill that will be learned,” she said.
To prove this, the country is making a gift of free trips to Finland for a four-day masterclass in Finnish philosophy and life balance.
A happiness ‘masterclass’
Finland’s first “Masterclass of Happiness” can be held from June 12 to fifteen on the Kuru Resort, a luxury lakeside retreat in southern Finland.
In line with Visit Finland, “expert coaches” will cover 4 themes in 4 days:
- nature and lifestyle
- health and balance
- design and “on a regular basis”
- food and wellbeing
Nature is a key component of Finland’s “Masterclass of Happiness.”
Aleksi Koskinen | Image Source | Getty Images
The catch?
Only ten people can attend. For many who are chosen, the prices of the category, plus travel expenses, can be covered.
Applications to attend the masterclass are open from now through April 2. Interested travelers have to fill out a form and complete a social media challenge showing why “you could secretly be a Finn.”
Those that will not be chosen to attend in person “needn’t worry,” in accordance with the country’s tourism authority Visit Finland, adding that the masterclass can be available online later this summer.
Why is Finland so pleased?
Jimenez said she is commonly asked why Finns are so pleased. For her, it “stems from an in depth relationship with nature and our down-to-earth lifestyle.”
The Finnish CEO of the shopper feedback company HappyOrNot Miika Makitalo agreed.
“We nurture our work-life balance, imagine in our society and dedicate time to benefitting from our proximity to nature,” he said.
Finns have a philosophy called ‘sisu’, an amalgamation of perseverance, resilience and keeping problems in perspective.
Miika Makitalo
CEO, HappyOrNot
But he also said the concept of “sisu” plays a crucial role.
“Finns have a philosophy called ‘sisu’, an amalgamation of perseverance, resilience and keeping problems in perspective,” he said. “Sisu defines our national character and is as recognizable and accepted an idea to Finns because the ‘American Dream’ could be to residents of the USA.”
He said the word has no English equivalent, nevertheless it involves pushing one’s own boundaries and approaching seemingly insurmountable challenges head-on.
“This philosophy definitely underpins our national happiness and sense of purpose,” he said. “It keeps our spirits high.”
Happiness rankings, by country
The United Nation’s “World Happiness Report” ranks countries based on average life evaluation scores from 2020 to 2022. In line with the report, life evaluations are based on six primary aspects: income, physical and mental health, social support, generosity, corruption levels and freedom to live without discrimination.
In line with the report, life evaluation averages this yr are “remarkably resilient,” with global averages from the past three years just like those from before the pandemic.
Afghanistan and Lebanon are at the top of the list, nonetheless. In line with the report, average life evaluations in each countries are 1.8 and a couple of.4, respectively, on a scale that runs from 0 to 10.
