The World Happiness Report 2024 has shed light on global sentiments, placing Bangladesh quite low on the scale of happiness, ranking it 129th out of 143 nations surveyed. This marks a drop from last year's 118th position out of 137 countries, indicating deepening concerns about overall life satisfaction among its citizens.
Leading the happiness chart this year is Finland, which continues to maintain its title as the happiest country globally. Countries trailing behind Bangladesh include Afghanistan, which has been labeled the unhappiest nation, followed by Lebanon, Lesotho, and Sierra Leone, among others. Notably, countries such as India, Pakistan, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka earned ranks of 126th, 108th, 118th, and 128th, respectively. Meanwhile, Nepal stood at 93rd.
The World Happiness Report is published by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, which relies on individual data gathered through surveys. Respondents rate their lives, serving as the basis for the happiness rankings, which are then correlated with various factors influencing quality of life.
Finland ranked first for its consistent commitment to factors such as social equality, educational access, and overall governmental effectiveness. The country has consistently ranked high due to effective welfare policies and societal cohesion, which contribute to overall life satisfaction. Countries like Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden closely follow Finland, securing places within the top five happiest nations.
On the contrary, Bangladesh's situation highlights significant challenges. Although the report does not provide extensive analysis on the reasons behind Bangladesh's ranking, several social and economic indicators suggest underlying issues such as poverty, political instability, and challenges facing public health. Factors such as economic disparity, unemployment, and inadequate healthcare access significantly affect psychological well-being. These indicators may shed light on the dissatisfaction reported by citizens.
Both India and Pakistan, with ranks of 126th and 108th respectively, also face similar struggles, indicating widespread unrest and lack of happiness within South Asia. The complex political landscapes and socio-economic difficulties these nations encounter play roles, affecting citizen perceptions of life satisfaction.
This year’s World Happiness Report highlights the importance of assessing individuals' self-reported life satisfaction and correlates these ratings with broader social and economic indicators. The aim is to encourage policymakers to focus not just on economic growth but also on improving citizens' general happiness and well-being.
Some positive insights come from the top twenty list, which includes the UK at 20th, highlighting its gradual but consistent social improvements contributing to higher happiness levels. Countries such as Canada, Belgium, and Ireland also featured prominently within the rankings, showcasing multifaceted approaches to improving citizens' overall happiness.
Despite various factors influencing happiness across the globe, the report strives to guide nations toward creating environments where citizens can thrive. By providing clarity on issues influencing everyday happiness, the World Happiness Report encourages governments to understand how interconnected economic, social, and environmental factors are, and how they can work together to improve quality of life.
The depth of the disparities illustrated by the rankings reveals the urgent need for socio-economic reforms and policies focused on mental health and well-being. The findings serve as reminders of the great variance between nations and the shared human experience of seeking happiness and fulfillment.
With the insights brought forth by the World Happiness Report 2024, there lies hope for future improvements as countries strive for stronger policies and societal structures focusing on both happiness and quality of life. The need for investments not just economically but also socially will be imperative moving forward to address the growing disparities seen within the happiness index.
