Top 10 Happiest Countries In The World 2024

According to the World Happiness Report, Finland is still the happiest country in the world in 2024. Finland remains at the first position for the 6th consecutive year. Subjective well-being depends on three main well-being indicators – life evaluation, positive emotions, and negative emotions. Happiness rankings are based on life evaluation as a more stable measure of people’s quality of life.

Average life evaluation (ALE) was explained by six factors – log GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy at birth, freedom to make life choices, generosity and perception of corruption. Let’s see the top 10 happiest countries in the world by 2024.

10. New Zealand – 7.123

• Population: 5.2 million
• Average life evaluation: 7.123
• GDP (nominal) – $249.4 billion
• GDP Per capita – $48,071

With a score of 7.123, New Zealand is among the top 10 happiest countries in the world. A developed country, New Zealand ranks high in international comparisons of national performance such as quality of life, education, protection of civil liberties, government transparency and economic freedom.

New Zealand underwent major economic changes during the 1980s, transforming it from a protectionist to a liberal free trade economy. New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean. It consists of two mainland islands the North Island and the South Island and more than 700 smaller islands.

New Zealand is approximately 2,000 km east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and 1,000 km south of the islands of New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga. The capital of New Zealand is Wellington, and its most populous city is Auckland.

See Also: Cleanest Countries In The World

09. Luxembourg – 7.228

• Population: 660,809
• Average life evaluation: 7.228
• GDP (nominal): $89 billion
• GDP per capita: $135,609

With a score of 7.228, Luxembourg is among the top 10 happiest countries in the world in 2024. It is one of the smallest sovereign states in Europe. Luxembourg has a population of 660,809, making it one of the least populous countries in Europe, but by far the country with the highest population growth rate.

About half of Luxembourg’s population is foreign. The country is led by Grand Duke Henry and is the only remaining sovereign Grand Duchy in the world.

Additionally, Luxembourg is a developed country, with an advanced economy and one of the highest per capita GDP (PPP) in the world. Luxembourg City, with its old quarters and fortifications, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 due to the extensive fortifications and exceptional protection of the Old City.

08. Switzerland – 7.240

• Population: 8.9 million
• Average life evaluation: 7.240
• GDP (nominal): $905 billion
• GDP per capita: $102,865

Switzerland ranks eighth among the top 10 happiest countries in the world in 2024. It is known for its dense forests, wildlife as well as safe and clean water. Switzerland is a landlocked country of natural beauty located at the intersection of Western, Central and Southern Europe.

Although the Alps occupy much of the region, the Swiss population of approximately 8.7 million is mostly concentrated on the plateau, where the largest cities and economic centres are, among them Zurich, Geneva and Basel. Furthermore, Switzerland is known for its vast landscapes. This cleanest place on Earth has more than 1,500 lakes, each less than 10 miles from another.

07. Norway – 7.315

• Population: 5.5 million
• Average life evaluation: 7.315
• GDP (nominal): $546.7 billion
• GDP per capita: $99,266

Norway is the seventh happiest country in the world by 2024. Its citizens feel they are well taken care of by their government, with access to universal health care and free college tuition. Norway is a country in Northern Europe, whose mainland includes the western and northern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula.

The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and the Svalbard archipelago are also part of Norway. The capital and largest city of Norway is Oslo. Norway has a low crime rate and a strong sense of community among its citizens.

This is a quality it shares with many of the top 10 countries. Norway has a total area of 148,729 square miles and a population of 5.5 million.

06. Sweden – 7.395

• Population: 10.5 million
• Average life evaluation: 7.395
• GDP (nominal): $597 billion
• GDP per capita: $55,215

Sweden is the 7th happiest country in the world in 2024 with a score of 7.395. It has remained in the list of the cleanest countries in the world for many years.

Sweden is the happiest Nordic country in Northern Europe. It borders Finland to the west and Norway to the north. Furthermore, Sweden is the largest country in Northern Europe, the third largest country in the European Union, and the fifth largest country in Europe.

The capital and largest city of Sweden is Stockholm. The total population of the country is 10.5 million, of which 87% live in urban areas, covering 1.5% of the entire land area. The highest concentration is in the central and southern parts of the country.

Additionally, Sweden is the sixth richest country in the world in terms of GDP per capita and its citizens enjoy a high quality of life. Sweden is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

See Also: Largest Economies In The World

05. Netherlands – 7.403

• Population:  18 million
• Average life evaluation: 7.403
• GDP (nominal): $1.09 trillion
• GDP per capita: $61,769

The Netherlands is a country located in Western Europe with territory in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. According to the World Happiness Report, the Netherlands is the 5th happiest country in the world by 2024.

The official language of the country is Dutch, with West Frisian being the secondary official language in the province of Friesland. The Caribbean Netherlands has English and Papiamento as its second official language.

The Netherlands has a developed economy and has been playing a special role in the European economy for several centuries. As of 2020, the Netherlands’ major trading partners were Germany, Belgium, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Italy, China, and Russia.

The Netherlands is one of the top 10 exporting countries in the world. Food products form the largest industrial sector. Also, other major industries include chemicals, metallurgy, machinery, electrical goods, trade, services and tourism.

04. Israel – 7.473

• Population: 9.8 million
• Average life evaluation: 7.473
• GDP (nominal): $521 billion
• GDP per capita: $43,192

Israel is considered an advanced country in economic and industrial development in Western Asia and the Middle East. Tel Aviv is the economic and technological center of the country, while the seat of its government is in its declared capital, Jerusalem, although Israel’s sovereignty over East Jerusalem is unrecognized internationally.

Israel’s establishment of quality university education and a highly motivated and educated population is largely responsible for fueling the country’s high technology boom and rapid economic growth. Israeli economic data covers the Israeli Economic Zone, which includes the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem, and Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

03. Iceland – 7.530

• Population: 0.39 million
• Average life evaluation: 7.530
• GDP (nominal): $30 billion
• GDP per capita: $78,836

Iceland is the third happiest country in the world in 2024 with an ALE of 7.530. It is a Nordic island country in the North Atlantic Ocean and the least populous country in Europe. Its capital and largest city is Reykjavik. More than two-thirds of the population lives in Reykjavík and surrounding areas in the south-west of the country.

Iceland is the only part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge that rises above sea level, and its central volcanic plateau is erupting almost constantly. Furthermore, its high latitude and maritime influence keep summers cool, and most of its islands have a polar climate. Iceland has a total population of approximately 399,000 and an area of 39,682 square miles.

02. Denmark – 7.586

• Population: 5.9 million
• Average life evaluation: 7.586
• GDP (nominal): $420 billion
• GDP per capita: $71,402

Denmark ranks second among the top 10 happiest countries in the world in 2024. It is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. Denmark is located southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and is bordered by Germany to the south. As of 2020, Denmark has a total area of 42,943 km.

World Happiness Reports often rank Denmark’s population as the happiest in the world. This is due to the country’s highly regarded education and health care systems and low levels of income inequality. Metropolitan Denmark has a population of 5.9 million, of which approximately 800,000 live in the capital and largest city, Copenhagen.

See Also: Richest Countries In The World

01. Finland – 7.804

• Population: 5.6 million
• Average life evaluation: 7.804
• GDP (nominal): $305 billion
• GDP per capita: $54,507

With an ALE of 7.804, Finland is the happiest country in the world in 2024. Finland remains at the first position for the 6th consecutive year. It is a Nordic country in Northern Europe bordered by Sweden to the west, Russia to the east and Norway to the north. Finland has an area of 338,455 square kilometres and a population of approximately 5.6 million.

Additionally, Helsinki is the country’s capital and largest city, but together with the neighbouring cities of Espoo, Kauniainen and Vantaa it forms a larger metropolitan area. The climate varies relative to latitude, ranging from a southern humid continental climate to a northern boreal climate. The land cover is primarily a boreal forest biome, with over 180,000 recorded wetlands.