Finland has been named happiest country in the world: 5 Finnish creatives weigh in

For the sixth year in a row, Finland has topped the rankings as the happiest country in the world, as per the World Happiness Report. The rest of the Scandinavian countries did well, too, with Denmark and Iceland securing second and third place, respectively, while Sweden took the sixth spot, and Norway the seventh. The report has been compiled by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Solutions Network, with the data received from a global survey conducted on people from over 150 countries.

The measures of happiness used in the report were healthy life expectancy, GDP (gross domestic product) per capita, social support, corruption, freedom to make key life decisions and generosity in a community where people look after each other.

Following Finland’s placement as number one again, Vogue Scandinavia caught up with five Finnish creative industry insiders on their reaction to the news, and digs for their own secret to this Finnish brand of happiness.

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Well, it’s no wonder we’re the happiest people in the world! Our summers are filled with endless daylight, while our winters are filled with crisp air and cosy evenings by the fire. But we don’t like to make a big deal about our happiness – we prefer to quietly enjoy it, like a good book on a rainy day. I feel like Finnish people are the happiest because we have mastered the art of finding joy in life’s simple pleasures, like saunas, salmiakki (liquorice) and long walks in nature.

One of the best things about Finland is the cosy and warm atmosphere. Distances are short, everyone knows each other, and you can feel safe anywhere. I think that happiness comes from a healthy balance of helping others and self-love, and my secret to it is being optimistic and always trying to find the silver lining. As an entrepreneur, positive thinking helps me take risks, as I always see opportunities rather than anything else.

The news didn’t come as a surprise to me, as we’ve been nominated as the happiest country for years now. Yes, we have a high life expectancy, GDP per capita, social support and low corruption. But Finland is a small country, so keeping the palette together might be a little easier. I think we are one of the happiest nations for sure, but at the same time, we have one of the highest suicide rates per population.

What I love about Finland is that we sometimes are outsiders to everything happening in the world. It gives a certain freedom and provides a great perspective to everything, and it has an effect on the fact that many new innovations and ideas come from our country. My happiness consists of my work, friends, culture and art. I’ve been able to make things possible with people close to me, and it’s something that didn’t seem likely at first. Not much happens here, so there is room to dream.

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I admit I was a bit surprised by Finland’s ranking as number one because what first sprung to my mind is that I don’t think we identify as the happiest country in the world. But then I thought that maybe I should learn to see my country the way others see it from the outside. Perhaps, there are many things that we Finns take for granted – elements that are crucial building blocks for happiness.

I think these results come from the quality of life we have overall. That we live in a safe country where everyone is taken care of. We have free education and good healthcare. We have access to information, we have art, and we have democracy. No matter what your background is, there are opportunities for everyone. As a gay black man and a father, my identity and family life are supported. But it definitely doesn’t mean that we don’t have challenges.

The things that bring me great joy in life are ice swimming, arts, books, meditation and talking about my emotions.

Having lived abroad in several countries and being half-American myself, I can wholeheartedly say that there are plenty of reasons to claim the ranking as accurate. I think it’s ultimately about our culture: We might be the happiest, but we also might be one of the least expressive of that happiness. Both things can be true at the same time.

I think by now, this is more a question of whether things have changed enough for us to lose that top spot. And honestly, it puts everything into perspective: things aren’t perfect, but they could be a lot worse. As a US citizen, with everything going on there with women’s rights and LGBTQ rights in some states, it feels extra good to live here.

As for myself, I don’t take happiness for granted. Naturally, I’m not always happy, and as an entrepreneur in fashion, there are moments when I’m not feeling my best. But when I am happy, I try to cherish it to the fullest. It might not be the secret to my happiness, but that’s how I get the most out of it.

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I didn’t really react to the news, but I hope it sends a positive message to the world about how good things really are here. The overall feeling of safety, the ability to trust your own community, and free educational institutions and welfare systems are things that I appreciate about Finland. Also, working in the creative field, I feel that there are a lot of opportunities to do exciting stuff and gain great visibility for it.

It’s easy to take things for granted as a native, but every time I come home after spending time abroad, I feel happy to live here. And as corny as it sounds, the nature and air here are truly rooting and healing. My secret to happiness? Laugh the pain away! And the sauna, of course.