World Happiness Report 2024, released on March 20, 2024, noted that while the United States and Germany have fallen in the rankings, several Eastern European nations are rising up on the list. Finland topped the list for the seventh year in a row, followed by Denmark, Iceland and Sweden. Raising concerns, India ranked 126th on this ranking. Given the importance of World Happiness Report ranking, this topic is expected to appear as GD Topic and Interview questions in MBA admission process. Read this solved GD Topic 2024 for complete understanding.
What is World Happiness Report and How is it Prepared?
The World Happiness Report is a partnership of Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and the WHR’s Editorial Board. The report is produced under the editorial control of the WHR Editorial Board. From 2024, the World Happiness Report is a publication of the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, UK.
Many variables including GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, having someone to count on, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and freedom from corruption are counted to prepare the report. Continue to read key highlights of GD Topic Happiness Index.
1. US Falling on Happiness Index
Noticeably, the United States fell in ranking from 16th spot last year to the 23rd spot this year. Among Middle Eastern nations, the UAE was ranked at 22 and Saudi Arabia at 28. Among Asian nations, Singapore was at 30, Japan at 50 and South Korea at 51.
2. India ranked low on Happiness Index
India was ranked lowly at 126th. The report has a full chapter on India titled: “Differences in Life Satisfaction among Older Adults in India”. Key highlights are:
- Older age is associated with higher life satisfaction in India, refuting some claims that the positive association between age and life satisfaction only exists in high-income nations. However, older women in India report lower life satisfaction than older men.
- Older adults with secondary or higher education and those of higher social castes report higher life satisfaction than counterparts without formal education and those from scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.
- Satisfaction with living arrangements, perceived discrimination, and self-rated health emerged as the top three predictors of life satisfaction.
3. Top 10 Countries in the World on happiness rankings
- Finland
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Sweden
- Israel
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Luxembourg
- Switzerland
- Australia
4. Top 10 Countries in Asia on happiness rankings
- Singapore
- Taiwan
- Japan
- South Korea
- Philippines
- Vietnam
- Thailand
- Malaysia
- China
- Mongolia
As the World Happiness Report 2024 notes that while the United States and Germany have fallen in the rankings, several Eastern European nations are rising up on the list. Raising concerns, India ranked 126th on this ranking. Given the importance of World Happiness Report ranking, this topic is expected to appear as GD Topic and Interview questions in MBA admission process. Read above solved GD Topic 2024 for complete understanding.
