Opinion: U.S. not among happiest nations

Our country is in political turmoil and at least some economic distress. Tentacles from the war with Iran are reaching out and touching families, many of which are struggling to make their paychecks stretch. Probably some people are also dealing with a moral crisis, wondering if the lives lost in the war are worth some hypothetical gain.

Two years ago, I consulted the World Happiness Report, published annually by the World Population Review. Data for the report is gathered on March 20, International Day of Happiness. At that time (see this column, April 6, 2024), the United States ranked 23rd on the list, based on surveys of most of the world’s countries. So, I thought it would be instructive to read the report, published last month, to see what it revealed for this year.

Happiest countries

As has been the case since the earliest data was gathered more than two decades ago, the Nordic countries of Europe occupy all of the top rankings. From year to year, number 3 may become 4, and Number 2 may become 1, but the same countries always show up above the rest of the pack. However, this year Norway dropped out of the top five to be replaced by Netherlands, and Costa Rica came in sixth.