Three years of pandemic have not made us more pessimistic and unhappy. On the contrary, most of us seem to have liked the situation and taken it all in stride, according to the World Happiness Report 2023 report, in which more than 100,000 people in 150 countries participated.
For example, we seem to have become more sympathetic to our fellow human beings during the pandemic. Our willingness to help strangers is 25 percent higher now than before the pandemic and we also give more money to charity, the report shows. The researchers believe the pandemic may have made people more caring overall.
Finland happiest – again
On average, most people were just as satisfied with their lives in 2020 to 2022 as in 2017 to 2019.
And although older people were often hit harder by COVID-19, they are now happier than before the pandemic. Those who are over 60 are generally also happier than younger people.
Just as seen the last six years, Finns are at the top as the happiest people in the world, followed by the other Nordic countries. This year, Sweden has climbed a notch on the placement list, from place seven to sixth place.
At the bottom of the list is Afghanistan.
The World Happiness Report is based on several factors, including life expectancy, gross domestic product, social support, generosity and lack of corruption. The survey, initiated by the UN and carried out by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, has been carried out since 2012.