Mint Primer | Happiness report: Why it has raised eyebrows in India

 

How has India fared within the happiness report?

India is ranked 126 out of 143 nations surveyed. The rating, primarily based on a person’s personal evaluation reasonably than any index, appears to be like at six variables, together with per capita gross home product (GDP), social help, wholesome life expectancy, freedom, generosity and corruption. India fared poorly on most parameters. Whereas the rank in 2024 is similar because the earlier 12 months, it has slipped in its efficiency between 2006-10 survey interval and 2021-23. Not one of the Asian nations have executed effectively. Singapore, ranked 30, is the happiest nation in Asia. China is ranked 60. Afghanistan is the unhappiest nation on this planet.

That are the world’s happiest nations?

Finns are the happiest folks on this planet. For the seventh successive 12 months, Finland has topped the rating. Actually, Nordic nations, together with Denmark, Iceland and Sweden, other than Finland, continued to dominate this rating, bagging the highest 4 of the 5 spots. Israel has come fifth, adopted by Netherlands, Norway, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Australia. Canada was ranked 15 and the UK at 20. For the primary time, the US fell out of the highest 20 rating and was positioned at 23, whereas Costa Rica and Kuwait entered the highest 20 rating. Germany and France got here at 24 and 27, respectively.

What makes Finns happiest folks on this planet?

Finns are blissful as a result of they don’t hyperlink happiness to monetary prosperity, as a substitute, develop a powerful bond with nature and have well-kept work-life steadiness. It additionally has strong welfare system with free training and healthcare. Belief in authorities establishments is excessive and corruption is minimal. The society, thus, operates with a way of belief, freedom and autonomy.

Does happiness fluctuate with age?

It does. The younger (beneath 30 years of age) are lots happier in jap Europe, particularly in Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia and Montenegro. As an illustration, the younger in Croatia are 66 locations greater than the outdated (60 years and above). Older era nonetheless bear the scars of conflict and genocide that adopted within the early Nineteen Nineties after the break-up of erstwhile Yugoslavia. Within the US and Canada, the younger are lots unhappier than the outdated and the hole is vast—50 locations or extra. In India, the outdated are marginally happier than the younger.

Why did the rating elevate many eyebrows?

The rating final result has been questioned by many for being out of contact with actuality. Argentina, which is in recession and battling inflation of 160% is ranked 48. Iran, the place human rights abuses are widespread, and freedom of expression is curtailed is ranked 100. Palestine, which, hobbled by years of battle and destruction, survives on international support is at 103, whereas Pakistan, a nation in political and financial disaster is ranked 108—all ranked manner above India. Additionally, not one of the populous nations are seen as blissful within the rating.