World Happiness Day 2023: Know top 5 happiest countries of the world; Here’s where India stands

New Delhi: Every year on March 20, the world observes International Day of Happiness. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) launched this initiative in 2013 to understand the value of happiness in the livelihoods of people all over the world. Every person, regardless of age, class, caste, or other criteria, deserves to be happy. A person’s primary objective in life should be to be happy.

The day’s goal is to raise awareness of the importance of taking a more inclusive, equitable, and balanced strategy for financial growth that seeks to promote long-term development, eradicating poverty, happiness, and the general well-being of all people. The United Nations launched the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, which aim to eradicate poverty, reduce inequality, and safeguard our planet, which are the three key factors that ultimately led to the wellness and happiness of all citizens worldwide.

As the world celebrates this day, these are the top five happiest countries in the world, according to the 2022 report:
Finland currently holds the top spot and has done so for the past five years. Denmark places in second while Iceland secures third in the list. Switzerland and the Netherlands are ranked fourth and fifth, respectively. In 2022, Afghanistan is placed as the world’s least ‘happy’ country.

Where does India stands?

Despite its global prominence and being one of the fastest in the world emerging markets, India is one of the world’s unhappiest countries. Based on the World Happiness Report 2022, India ranks 136th, tenth from the bottom, trailing neighboring countries such as Nepal, China, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

This decrease has occurred despite successive administrations and visible economic growth. Many factors contribute to India’s decline and “chronic unhappiness,” including rapid urbanization, poverty, increased city congestion, pollution, rising population, high health-care costs, and an increase in crime, particularly against women and minorities. Low ‘GDP per capita,’ ‘Social Support,’ and ‘Health Life Expectancy’ are also major factors contributing to the country’s decline.