"It was then - and still is - a strange time to be living in the United States. The country feels frayed, shaped by political tension perpetually nearing a boiling point and a growing sense that everything costs too much. With its quiet streets, unhurried people and nature woven into daily life, Finland felt like the exact opposite. It is, as you may have heard ad nauseam, the happiest country in the world for the eighth year running."
"Countries are scored using the Cantril Ladder, which asks respondents to rate their lives on a scale from zero to 10, from the worst possible life to the best. By this measure, happiness isn't about daily joy or optimism, but stability: safety, trust, social support and confidence in the future. In 2024, Finland scored a 7.74. The United States scored 6.7, placing 24th, below countries like Costa Rica, Mexico, Canada and Slovenia."
Finland ranked first in the World Happiness Report with a 2024 score of 7.74, while the United States scored 6.7 and ranked 24th. The report uses the Cantril Ladder to measure life evaluation, emphasizing stability factors such as safety, trust, social support and confidence in the future rather than day-to-day mood. Helsinki's quiet streets, unhurried people and integrated nature encourage public communal life, with pools and saunas used even on weekdays. Tampere is identified as the sauna capital. The United States exhibits political tension and high costs that erode life evaluation despite individual resources.
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