The country of bikes and canals is ranked as the fifth happiest nation in the world according to the 2023 World Happiness Report. We’re pleased to see this on paper once more, even though it might seem obvious during the yearly Koningsdag (King’s day) celebrations or during the tulip season.
1. World Happiness Report
How, then, did the Dutch earn a podium finish? The ultimate ranking of each nation’s happiness levels is determined by taking into account a number of metrics. They consider:
- Freedom to make decisions in life
- In-group assistance in communities
- Governmental corruption levels
- residents’ physical well-being
- Kindness in local communities
- Typical living conditions (GDP per capita)
Every year, the Gallup Institute conducts surveys that are used to create the World Happiness Report.
2. Top 10 Happiest Countries in the World
| Happiness ranking | Country |
| 1 | Finland |
| 2 | Denmark |
| 3 | Iceland |
| 4 | Israel |
| 5 | The Netherlands |
| 6 | Sweden |
| 7 | Norway |
| 8 | Switzerland |
| 9 | Luxembourg |
| 10 | New Zealand |
For the sixth consecutive year, Finland tops the list of happiest nations in the world. Iceland and Denmark are at the top of the list, right behind the Finns.
Regrettably, the two least happy nations in the world in 2023 are Afghanistan and Lebanon. Civil turmoil has recently affected the residents of both nations.
3. Surviving the coronavirus outbreak
The experts who put together the paper claim that throughout the past three years, people all throughout the world have proven to be “remarkably resilient.”
Despite the global epidemic, they observed that overall satisfaction levels haven’t fallen below that of the years prior to the coronavirus, which was from 2017 to 2019.
We’ve managed to maintain the same level of enjoyment despite lockdowns, curfews, weekly press briefings, and the apprehensive return to “regular life.”
Overall, we can declare with pride that Dutch people thrive on stroopwafel, boterhammen, and positive energy, and we foreigners are pleased to join in.
