The happiest countries

Bloomberg - Finland is once again the world’s happiest country, according to the World Happiness Report for 2026, its ninth year on top.  The US ranks 23rd, based on a three-year average of quality-of-life factors like income, health, having someone to count on, a sense of freedom, generosity and trust. Endless scrolling doesn’t help.

So, what’s Finland’s secret? Nature, and a culture built around it. Wellness here means living with the seasons and getting outside. Foraging and hiking are everyday habits, protected by “everyman’s right” (jokaisenoikeudet), which lets anyone roam, camp and fish freely, as long as they respect the land.

The rest of the world is taking note. Visitor numbers are rising despite Finland’s 830-mile border with Russia. So is its sauna culture, a ritual of heat, cold and contrast that reflects a broader mindset: pleasure and discomfort go hand in hand.