The World Happiness Report publishes its list of the happiest countries in the world every year, and this year was no exception. It’s always interesting to see which countries have made it to the top 10 happiest in 2021, which ones have slipped in the rankings, and which ones have risen to the top.
Today, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 happiest countries in the world for you using the data from WHR’s latest report.
10. Austria
Hallstatt, Austria
- Austria slipped from the 9th to the 10th place in 2021 rankings.
- Austrians love to bike around, which is very enjoyable because of the scenic countryside. Maybe biking is the secret to happiness?
- WHR’s 2021 report indicates that Austrians are very happy with their social support, high GDP per capita, and freedom to make life choices.
Belvedere Palace, Wien, Austria
9. New Zealand
Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
- Like Austria, New Zealand also slipped one place in the Happiness Rankings (from 8th to 9th).
- New Zealand’s arch-rival (at least when it comes to these rankings) Australia didn’t make the top 10 list this time.
- Kiwis are very satisfied with the quality of their life not just in the country, but also in their workplace.
- It's the land of Middle Earth! The Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit movies were shot in this country.
Casa Miro, Auckland, New Zealand
8. Luxembourg
Chemin de la Corniche, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
- Luxembourg climbed from 10th place in 2020 to 8th place in 2021!
- Luxembourg has the lowest population out of any country on this list. (~600,000 people)
- The country boasts some of the highest salaries in the world and has a very strong social safety net.
Would you love to go to Luxembourg? Why wait! Let´s book that flight and hotel !
Bourscheid Castle, Bourscheid, Luxembourg
7. Sweden
Lysekil, Sweden
- Swedes retained their 7th place from 2020 to 2021. When it comes to holding together, they’re as sturdy as IKEA furniture!
- Like many of its Nordic neighbors, Sweden boasts one of the highest GDPs in the world.
- Swedes put a very high emphasis on social equality and work-life balance.
- In addition, their education system is also one of the best in the world.
Before you book that flight to lovely Sweden,… do you have the correct travel insurance for this destination?
Gamla stan, Stockholm, Sweden
6. Norway
Lofoten Islands, Svolvær, Norway
- Norway used to consistently top the charts when it came to these rankings, but it’s been slipping for a while. The country went from 5th place in 2020 to 6th in 2021.
- Still, there isn’t a lot to complain about in Norway. It has arguably the most resilient economy in the world, a very strong social safety net, and Norwegians put a very high value on worker happiness.
- Norwegians are also very happy with their government welfare system, along with the responsible management of the country’s natural resources.
Eliassen Rorbuer, Hamnøy, Norway
5. the Netherlands
Amsterdam, Netherlands
- The Netherlands climbed up a spot from 2020 to 2021 (from 6th to 5th).
- When it comes to happiness levels, Netherlands is the most stable country there is. The country’s happiness levels have barely changed since 2005!
- A 2013 UNICEF report found that Dutch children are the happiest in the world. What are you feeding your children, guys? Let the rest of us in on the secret.
We are from the lovely Netherlands, and we´ve written some excellent items about our home country, check out all our articles about the Netherlands here!
Amsterdam, Netherlands
4. Iceland
Reykjavík, Iceland
- Iceland retained its 4th place, from 2020 to 2021.
- Iceland is also known as “the land of ice and fire”. It features some of the most beautiful sights one can see in the world.
- Icelandic citizens have high confidence in their social safety net, which, combined with the high GDP and the breathtaking countryside, might explain how the country consistently lands in the top 5.
We´ve been to magical Iceland, check out all our Iceland articles here!
Vik, Iceland
3. Switzerland
Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
- Like Iceland, Switzerland also retained its place in the rankings.
- Switzerland is pretty unique in the sense that almost everything in the country gets voted on by its residents. From foreign policy to municipal decisions, Swiss citizens can have their voice counted in almost every decision.
- Switzerland puts its belief, that every voice matters, into practice; which contributes a lot to its happiness. It also has some of the best labor laws and an extremely low unemployment rate, which helps a lot.
Would you one day want to go to Switzerland? Why wait! Let´s check prices on your flight and hotel !
Grindelwald, Switzerland
2. Denmark
Strøget, Copenhagen Municipality, Denmark
- Denmark retained its 2nd spot from 2020 to 2021.
- Denmark is one of the world’s leading countries when it comes to renewable energy production. In addition, it turns out Danish people are serious about their biking. Copenhagen is the most bike-friendly city in the world! Maybe the secret of happiness really is in biking.
- The Happiness Research Institute, which publishes the World Happiness Rankings, is also based in Denmark, indicating that the Danish people are really serious about their happiness.
Let's become happy as well! Let´s check prices on a flight and hotel to and in Denmark!
Copenhagen, Denmark
1. Finland
Helsinki, Finland
- Finland has consistently secured the 1st spot on the Happiness Rankings since 2018 (four years in a row)! It seems the people of this country have Finnish-ed their research on the art of happiness. (Ba-dum-tss)
- Finland is famous all over the world for its state-of-the-art education system. The country has state-funded education and all teachers are required to at least have a master’s degree. Teachers are highly respected in the country and teaching is considered a noble profession.
- Apart from its education, Finland also consistently tops the charts in terms of public welfare, mutual trust, freedom of choice, and equality.
And that’s all for the top 10 happiest countries rankings. Did your country land in the top 10 list? If not, check the detailed report and see how your country did in 2020-2021!
Kuopio, Finland
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