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U.S. Booted Out Of Top 20 Happiest Countries In The World List; UK At The Bottom
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U.S. Booted Out Of Top 20 Happiest Countries In The World List; UK At The Bottom

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In a surprising and unhappy turn of events, the U.S. found itself nowhere among the top 20 happiest nations of the world, while the UK found itself right at the bottom of the list, as per the newly released 2024 World Happiness Report.

The new data from Gallup and its partners, which powers the World Happiness Report, revealed that Finland topped the annual list of the happiest countries in the world. This is the seventh year in a row where Finland comfortably clinched the No. 1 spot.

Finland was followed by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Israel, and the Netherlands in that order.

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    Finland topped the overall rankings for the seventh year in a row

    The report, released on Wednesday, served bad news for the U.S., which plunged to the 23rd spot from No. 15 last year. This is the first time the U.S. has dropped out of the top 20 happiest countries list since the launch of the World Happiness Report 12 years ago.

    The researchers attribute part of this decline to how America’s youth (individuals aged under 30) perceive their lives. “In the US, happiness or subjective well being has decreased in all age groups, but especially for young adults,” Ilana Ron Levey, Gallup’s managing director, told CBS News.

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    The U.S. was nowhere on the list of the top 20 happiest countries in the world, as per the recent report

    Image credits: Mark Stebnicki / Pexels

    “The World Happiness Report and the Gallup/Meta social connectedness data show peak loneliness for younger Americans. It’s widely recognized that social support and feelings of loneliness are influential factors in determining overall happiness, and these dynamics differ across various age groups,” she added.

    “The quality of interpersonal relationships may impact the well being of younger and older individuals in distinct ways,” Ilana said.

    Americans, particularly young adults, showed a drop in happiness or subjective well-being

    The UK also took a blow, as it sits at the 20th spot, dropping from rank 19 in last year’s list of the 20 happiest countries in the world.

    Sitting at the bottom of the list at rank 143 is Afghanistan.

    The Wednesday release of the World Happiness Report coincided with the International Day of Happiness, a day designated by the United Nations and celebrated on March 20 every year.

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    The following is the list of countries that placed in the world’s 20 happiest countries in 2024:

    1. Finland

    2. Denmark

    3. Iceland

    4. Israel

    5. Netherlands

    6. Sweden

    7. Norway

    8. Switzerland

    9. Luxembourg

    10. New Zealand

    11. Austria

    12. Australia

    13. Canada

    14. Ireland

    15. United States

    16. Germany

    17. Belgium

    18. Czech Republic

    19. United Kingdom

    20. Lithuania

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    Binitha Jacob

    Binitha Jacob

    Author, BoredPanda staff

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    Working as a writer for Bored Panda offers an added layer of excitement. By afternoon, I'm fully immersed in the whirlwind of celebrity drama, and by evening, I'm navigating through the bustling universe of likes, shares, and clicks. This role not only allows me to delve into the fascinating world of pop culture but also lets me do what I love: weave words together and tell other people's captivating stories to the world

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    Binitha Jacob

    Binitha Jacob

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Working as a writer for Bored Panda offers an added layer of excitement. By afternoon, I'm fully immersed in the whirlwind of celebrity drama, and by evening, I'm navigating through the bustling universe of likes, shares, and clicks. This role not only allows me to delve into the fascinating world of pop culture but also lets me do what I love: weave words together and tell other people's captivating stories to the world

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    StrangeOne
    Community Member
    9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Canada used to be high up on the list. It's sad we're below the top 10. I think inflation, our dismantled healthcare system, polarizing politics that's becoming to be a resemblance of USA politics, crumbling infrastructure, tax corruption, lack of higher paying jobs and sky high rents and mortgages are ruining this country. It's beautiful, still. But beauty is only eye-candy. Not nourishment to the soul and stomach. Quite literally, Winnipeg is starving out and unhoming more and more low income people. The homeless rate has gotten so bad there's a whole area dedicated to shelters, soup kitchens and low, sketchy hotels and tent communities that the city authorities continue to dismantle. I work in a thrift store. We've been getting homeless people coming in asking for free clothes. People are not donating as much as they used to, so shelters don't have enough donations for everyone. We're not even getting as much donations to the point our hours are getting cut. I could go on and on.

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    StrangeOne
    Community Member
    9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Canada used to be high up on the list. It's sad we're below the top 10. I think inflation, our dismantled healthcare system, polarizing politics that's becoming to be a resemblance of USA politics, crumbling infrastructure, tax corruption, lack of higher paying jobs and sky high rents and mortgages are ruining this country. It's beautiful, still. But beauty is only eye-candy. Not nourishment to the soul and stomach. Quite literally, Winnipeg is starving out and unhoming more and more low income people. The homeless rate has gotten so bad there's a whole area dedicated to shelters, soup kitchens and low, sketchy hotels and tent communities that the city authorities continue to dismantle. I work in a thrift store. We've been getting homeless people coming in asking for free clothes. People are not donating as much as they used to, so shelters don't have enough donations for everyone. We're not even getting as much donations to the point our hours are getting cut. I could go on and on.

    Load More Comments
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