“Everyone wants to be happy, yet some find happiness while others do not”—this timeless song, immortalized by the legendary singer Manna Dey, reflects an eternal truth of human existence. Everyone yearns for happiness, but it does not manifest equally in everyone’s life.
People pursue happiness in various ways. Some migrate to other lands, others seek peace in the company of loved ones, while some look for life’s fulfillment in wealth, assets, power, or social status. Yet, for most people, the sense of happiness—born from a blend of mental peace, contentment, joy, and a sense of purpose—proves fleeting.
This raises a crucial question: does economic growth, development, or a rise in per capita income truly make people happy? Does an increase in a country’s GDP necessarily lead to greater life satisfaction among its citizens? Reality suggests there is no simple equation linking the two. It is in search of answers to such questions that the World Happiness Report has been published for over a decade. In the latest report, Bangladesh ranks 127th out of 147 countries. Finland has been recognized as the world’s happiest country for the ninth consecutive time. It is followed by Iceland, Denmark, Costa Rica, Sweden, and Norway. The top ten also includes the Netherlands, Israel, Luxembourg, and Switzerland.
The human desire for happiness is nothing new. From birth to death, the longing for well-being drives almost every decision we make. People often believe that a little more money will bring happiness, a better job will transform their lives, or owning a home or car will solve all their problems. Yet, in many instances, the joy derived from achieving these goals does not last. New acquisitions quickly become the norm, giving rise to fresh desires.
An 85-year-long study conducted by Harvard University revealed that money, fame, and power do not bring long-term happiness. Instead, it is meaningful and deep social connections that keep people the happiest and healthiest. Finland consistently ranks at the top because it achieves world-leading scores across all six criteria used by the United Nations to determine the happiest countries. A key reason for this is that healthcare and education in the country are fully state-funded; consequently, citizens face no undue mental stress or financial anxiety regarding illness or their children’s futures. Furthermore, the state provides robust financial and social security to citizens who lose their jobs, fall ill, or retire. As a result, the number of homeless people is virtually zero, thanks to the “Housing First” policy.
Additionally, Finland boasts one of the world’s most transparent and corruption-free governance systems. This fosters deep public trust in the government, police, judiciary, and tax system. Beyond that, the level of mutual social trust among the people is also exceptional.
Citizens also enjoy a comfortable work-life balance. Finnish culture discourages excessive work or overtime; the standard workweek ranges from 35 to 40 hours, and employees receive four to five weeks of paid annual leave. After the workday ends, they spend their time with family, pursuing hobbies, and enjoying nature—a balance that effectively eliminates mental exhaustion.
