For the sixth year in a row, Finland is the world’s happiest country, according to World Happiness Report rankings based largely on life evaluations from the Gallup World Poll.
The Nordic country and its neighbors Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and Norway all score very well on the measures the report uses to explain its findings: healthy life expectancy, GDP per capita, social support, low corruption, generosity in a community where people look after each other and freedom to make key life decisions.
And maybe “having a sense of humor” should be added to the list.
@rockblossom I recently read that about Finland but it was confusing since, only a few years back, I also read that Finland had some of the highest rates of alcoholism and drug abuse.
So which is correct?
@chienfou One of the odd things I noticed living in Germany: Europeans tend to be happy drunks who sing and dance after a few drinks. Americans tend to be mean and sad drunks - either crying in their beer or starting a bar fight. I have never understood why.
Also, suicide rate. Or so I’d been told. I decided that I’d actually look into the data for it, rather than just pass along what I’d heard before (which, if it ever was true, could be up to 40 years out of date).
On a happy-ish note, the numbers have improved world-wide… though sadly not in the U.S. (or several other places).
2000
2019
Finland
21.7
13.4
U.S.
10.0
14.5
Russia
48.9
21.6
Lesotho
42.6
87.5
(per 100,000 persons)
Unfortunately, these numbers are considered “highly underreported due to social stigma, cultural, and legal concerns.”
And now I feel like such an unnecessary downer. But at least I learned that Finland isn’t the worst in that situation. Especially not now.
Small consolation.
How did I not know of this? Why do I always miss the good memes? I need to complain.
[Warning: Rabbit Hole ahead]
I just searched for ‘Complaints Choir’ on YouTube and they are endless. Even freaking Tasmania.
A cute one from Tokyo:
ON SE NIIN VÄÄRIN!
Bravo. I’m in the middle of covid inf feeling quite down. Grateful for the humor, harmony, humanity and company.
And maybe “having a sense of humor” should be added to the list.
@rockblossom I recently read that about Finland but it was confusing since, only a few years back, I also read that Finland had some of the highest rates of alcoholism and drug abuse.
So which is correct?
@macromeh
@macromeh @rockblossom I’m stealing that!
@macromeh @rockblossom
Maybe they are happy drunks (and addicts)!!
@chienfou One of the odd things I noticed living in Germany: Europeans tend to be happy drunks who sing and dance after a few drinks. Americans tend to be mean and sad drunks - either crying in their beer or starting a bar fight. I have never understood why.
@macromeh @rockblossom
Also, suicide rate. Or so I’d been told. I decided that I’d actually look into the data for it, rather than just pass along what I’d heard before (which, if it ever was true, could be up to 40 years out of date).
According to the one source I bothered to investigate, in 2000 Finland’s suicide rate was more than double the U.S., yet still less than half of Russia.
On a happy-ish note, the numbers have improved world-wide… though sadly not in the U.S. (or several other places).
(per 100,000 persons)
Unfortunately, these numbers are considered “highly underreported due to social stigma, cultural, and legal concerns.”
And now I feel like such an unnecessary downer. But at least I learned that Finland isn’t the worst in that situation. Especially not now.
Small consolation.
@xobzoo
Suicide rates by country, 2023:
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/suicide-rate-by-country
Alcoholism rates by country, 2022:
https://www.abbeycarefoundation.com/alcohol/alcoholism-by-country-statistics/
Happiness rates by country, 2023:
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/happiest-countries-in-the-world
I can’t speak to Finland’s alcoholism, but I know the guy that founded this.
https://www.mykendestilleri.no/?lang=en
Myken is a tiny island 20 miles off the coast of Norway.
@blaineg He seems happy.
@blaineg Cool! Do you know if anything they make is sold in the US? I didn’t see anything about sales on the site, but their gins sound intriguing.
How did I not know of this? Why do I always miss the good memes? I need to complain.
[Warning: Rabbit Hole ahead]
I just searched for ‘Complaints Choir’ on YouTube and they are endless. Even freaking Tasmania.
A cute one from Tokyo:
BTW, what’s the story on the extra 90 seconds of black screen at the end of the video. I’d like to complain about that…