According to the 2024 World Happiness Report, Northern Europe is still smiling. All five Nordic nations—Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and Norway—landed in the global top 10, with Finland claiming first place for the seventh year in a row. The report draws on surveys from over 140 countries, measuring how people rate their own lives, and so far, they seem to be quite satisfied.
In these countries, happiness is evenly spread across all ages. While the rankings weigh many factors from political rights to economic equality, the Nordics share some clear wins regardless of age: low corruption, universal public services, and easy access to nature.
From cozy winters to strong community trust, and of course, governments that take care of their people, the Nordics may have found the secret to lasting happiness. Click through the gallery to see what keeps them smiling.