In the world happiness ranking, Finland continues to occupy the top spot. India is at 136th position amongst 146 countries. Afghanistan ranks lowest in the list.
Where does India stand?
The Happiness Index of the World Happiness Report (WHR) indicates that India’s rank has deteriorated over the years. Starting with rank 111 in 2013, it has consistently been going down and was a dismal 139 in the 2021 report – a dip of 25%. This decline has happened irrespective of successive governments and apparent economic progress.
India’s rank in GDP per capita has remained low at 102 and hardly changed despite a high GDP growth rate in the last four, pre-Covid years of 6%-8%. This decrease seems to indicate that even though GDP increased, the increase in population nulled it out.
Similarly, there has been only a marginal improvement in India’s rank (2021 rank: 104) for Healthy Life Expectancy despite being a pharma capital of the world, growing medical tourism, or an overall increase in healthcare facilities in the country.
Finland is the happiest nation
Finland has been named the happiest country for the fifth successive year in the World Happiness Report 2022. Denmark bagged the second spot and Iceland claimed the third. Switzerland at number four and the Netherlands in fifth. Luxembourg holds a sixth place. Sweden, Norway, Israel, and New Zealand form the remainder of the top 10.
The United States rose three places to 16th, one ahead of Britain, while Canada fell 10 spots — from fifth last year to 15th this year. France climbed to the 20th, its highest ranking yet.
