The Pursuit of Happiness: Insights from the World Happiness Report 2023
This is a contribution post by Jasmine Bhatia
It’s 2023, and people are now smarter, more aware, and alert than in earlier times. However, all I knew about happiness was that it is a state of mind. Both you and I can feel emotions of happiness and sadness, but my knowledge was limited to the fact that happiness can be measured too. The first World Happiness Report was issued in 2012, and since then, it has been released on March 20th of every year.
So, what is the World Happiness Report?
The World Happiness Report is a ranking assigned to countries based on how pleased people in that country think they are. This evaluation is measured through opinion surveys to determine the well-being of people in the country. The United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network publishes the report, which is created by a committee of specialists working independently and in their capacities.
What criteria are considered in measuring happiness?
Since I learned that a report can represent the state of happiness of a country, I was curious to know the factors considered in measuring happiness. In 2023, the ranking was analyzed on 136 countries in total, and the crucial factors considered were social support, GDP per capita/income, freedom to make choices in life, healthy life expectancy, perceptions of corruption, and generosity.
Results of the World Happiness Report 2023
As per the results of the World Happiness Report, Finland tops the list among other countries in terms of happiness. Finland has been declared the happiest country in the world for six consecutive years.
Happiness is not a destination; it is a mood, and it is not permanent. It comes and goes, and if people thought that way, then perhaps people would find happiness more often.”
– Mark Schwahn
This made me wonder and research more about the specialty of Finland for ranking top for six years. The deeper findings portray that Finland is a powerful welfare state. It has excellent educational and healthcare systems that enhance the general well-being of its people.
India’s ranking details
India is our pride and our country. Being one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, I eagerly researched to find out India’s ranking. In the 2023 report, India ranks in the 126th position. The silver lining to this report is that India’s ranking has improved from the previous year’s ranking of 136.
Are we (the people of India) still far beyond the reach of happiness?
India is the fastest-growing economy in the world. She has progressed very well in all spheres of the industry.
Hence, finding its ranking low in happiness is something devastating for Indians. But the good news is happiness is not something that sticks to one individual/country. Happiness can be experienced by various people at the same time.
Can India still improve her ratings in the World Happiness Report?
No goal is impossible to reach if all work towards a common goal.
The World Happiness Report accounts for various factors in consideration in the ranking. The happy nations that topped the recent ranking achieved their top scores more through intangible factors like positive connections of trust and generosity derived between people than traditional thinking of prosperity.
The slight awareness that we, as Indians, can build is:
• India is a country of subtle relationships and culture. In the hectic world, Indians can perform better in the rankings by topping in social capital and faith with one another.
• India is a land of spirituality. Spirituality is a magical technique adopted by various countries to make oneself calm, enjoy the present moment of life, and cope with failures and stress with courage and acceptance.
• Education is the greatest strength. As Nelson Mandela rightly mentioned, education has the power to change the world. One pen, one teacher, one book, and one student develop the power of decision-making, problem-solving, and thinking.
• Promote each other. The income factor observed in the report can be improved when employment is given to support each other. Made in India and buying locally can create huge opportunities and promote growth.
In conclusion
Though it is a little difficult to believe that the emotion of happiness can be measured in the aspect of ranking, however with this report a nation can try to break its records and aim for the well-being of its people.
Happiness is a journey to be felt and experienced.
Jasmine Bhatia is a blogger, volunteer, home maker, learner and an optimistic person by nature. She believes our life is a beautiful creation of the universe given to each one of us and each day is blessed with new thoughts, new opportunities, new challenges and new learning from every little cell of life. Her articles are written with a motive to re-fill the dose of positivity and believe in the beauty of the lessons of life that it gives to all of us. Find her on Twitter.
