The 20th Mar was proclaimed as the International Day of Happiness In General Assembly of United Nations in its resolution 66/281 recognizing the relevance of happiness and well-being as a universal requirement. Bhutan, a Buddhist Kingdome located on the eastern ridges of the Himalayas initiated this resolution.
The United Nations carries out the country-specific reporting of happiness. It was in 2012 when the first evaluation was carried out and Happiness Report 2021 is the ninth World Happiness Report.
Parameters for evaluation
The World Happiness Report tends to use six factors as predictors of happy life evaluation -
- GDP per capita
- Social support
- Healthy life expectancy
- Freedom to make life choices
- Generosity
- Corruption
Excerpts from World Happiness Report 2021
According to the World Happiness Report 2021 which was made public on 20 Mar 2021, the International Day of Happiness, Finland is the happiest country. Finland has been rated highest at 7.889 points for the fourth consecutive year with Iceland (7.575), Denmark( 7.515) at second, third position respectively.
The next two positions have been taken by Switzerland (7.508) and Netherlands (7.5042) completing the top five positions in the ranking.
What exactly makes the Nordic citizens so exceptionally satisfied with their lives?
On receiving the data, which forms the basis of the World Happiness Report, it has come to light that it's the quality of institutions, reliability and extensive welfare benefits, low corruption, well-functioning democracy and state institutions.
Last year(in 2020), the International Day of Happiness probably was lost in the hue & cry of coronavirus. The world was already shutting down; there were sorrow and remorse all across the world. The Countries and the countrymen went through the real happiness check.
This year as the world is on the recovery path, the need to celebrate world happiness day on 20 Mar 2021 came from within.
The term " Gross National Happiness" was first coined by the 4th King of Bhutan King Jigme Singye Wangchuk in 1972 where he declared that Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross Domestic Product.
This for sure is the reason behind Bhutan's continually being reckoned as the happiest country in all of Asia and the 8th happiest country in the world. In Bhutan, it is made sure that material and spiritual development happen together to improve people's life.
What makes people happy?
There are many research papers on the subject studying the determinants of satisfaction, happiness and mental well-being of people more aggressively than ever before. In mid 90's, about 100 studies on sadness were published in scientific journals for every one study on happiness.
Happiness is a measure of subjective well-being (SWB) which has two components; Affective Well Being (AW) and Cognitive Well Being (CW). Affective Wellbeing represents the moods and emotions, which can be positive or negative liable to fluctuate significantly from time to time.
Whereas, cognitive well-being involves the acognitive evaluation process of fathoming how satisfied each one in sample size is with one's life as a whole. Both these components can be measured separately and can be added together to get a wider perspective.
Psychologists take on the happiness
Psychologists say that the happiest people spend the least time alone. They pursue personal growth and intimacy; they judge themselves by their own yardstick and are never against what others do or have.
Since even the rich materialists aren't happy either, materialism is considered toxic for happiness.
Gratitude has a lot to do with happiness; psychologists say. The studies show that talking and writing about what they're grateful to amplifies adult happiness.
And forgiveness is a trait most strongly linked to happiness and has been identified as the queen of all the virtues.
Why Finland is the happiest country
Finland enjoys good governance, equality, excellent educational attainment and very little corruption on a global scale. There is a trust level intact among each other.
One more important thing worth highlighting is that Finnish people have 'sisu'. You may be wondering what this 'Sisu' is? Sisu is a unique Finnish term ( or a concept) that can be equated to the strength of will, determination, perseverance and acting rationally in adverse situations. It's not a courage which is momentary but an ability to sustain courage that defines Finnish people and their character.
Finns have some peculiar things which set them apart and miraculously international. Thins like kid opting for school and hobby classes on their own, equality, daycare system, family leaves, a class apart work culture are unique to Finns Happiness fabric.
Conclusion
Happiness is seen as unity in diversity. Most of the constitutions of the American State provide for the right to seek happiness. The value of happiness is of great concern for most human beings. It is astonishing, but truth not to be ignored that none of the powerful countries made it to the top of the list.
Let Finland be the 'World Guru' to teach happiness lessons to the entire world, This reminds me of China, the focal point of coronavirus which stands at number 84.
In her pursuit to become Super Power, they seem to have lost - happiness!
You must be logged in to post a comment.