Conor Paterson
Ireland has been ranked 14th in the World Happiness Report, released this week while Finland tops the list for the sixth consecutive year.
The report is part of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, a United Nations global initiative, and measures social support, income, health, freedom, generosity, and the absence of corruption to determine a country's national happiness. The index uses a ranking of happiness based on an average of the past three years.
Ireland received a score of 6.9/10, compared with the Finns 7.8. Many have speculated whether the Finnish concept of “Sisu” may have something to do with their consistently high ranking. “Sisu” is a way of life that is ingrained in the Finnish national character, which is based on the principles of stoic determination, tenacity of purpose, grit, bravery, resilience, and hardiness.
Denmark, Iceland, Israel and the Netherlands complete the top 5. The report pointed out that there was a high correlation found between equality in society and happiness.
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Meanwhile many of the lowest ranked countries are defined by high levels of conflict or unrest. The countries ranked in the bottom of the survey are Lebanon, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of the Congo and in last place is Afghanistan with a score of just 1.85.
Elsewhere, the United Kingdom is in 19th place on the list with Germany in 16th and France in 21st. Last year's report placed Ireland in 13th place but has fallen just one position in the latest report.
The top 15 of the World Happiness Report are:
1. Finland
2. Denmark,
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3. Iceland
4. Israel
5. The Netherlands
6. Sweden
7. Norway
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8. Switzerland
9. Luxembourg
10. New Zealand
11. Austria
12. Australia
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13. Canada
14. Ireland
15. United States