Are Nordic Nations Happier than Others?

The Nordic countries are known for the benefits they provide to their citizens for the sake of their happiness: from decent public services to the best education and healthcare they can find.

However, seems like the rumors of the nordic nations being happier because of these factors aren't true.

In this slogging thread, our random channel community discussed the hype around life quality in these countries and which factors can influence the happiness of the population.

This Slogging thread by Sara Pinto, Jack Boreham and Mónica Freitas occurred in slogging's official #random channel, and has been edited for readability.

"Every year the news rings out that Nordic people are the happiest in the world."

"The World Happiness Report, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, has been ranking countries for a decade based on factors such as health, community and family connections, and freedom to make life choices."

"Since 2012, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Iceland have all consistently ranked highly; but do Nordic people themselves believe the hype?"

“It’s a bit of a laugh here when we see these reports about the happiest people in the world because honestly, I don’t think that’s true,” says Juha Rouhikoski, artistic director of Lux Festival, in Helsinki."

“People get really depressed here and it’s probably something to do with the long periods of darkness, and long periods of total daylight in the summertime can do harm to your mind as well,” says Rouhikoski.

Personally, I've always heard that the nordic nations were indeed happier, so it's definitely a bit strange to see that's not quite the reality

Jack Boreham Abeer Limarc Ambalina, what are your thoughts on this? Why do you think the happiness level is not accurate?

Sara Pinto, correct me if I'm wrong but don't Scandinavian people have a high quality of living on average? Decent wages low inflation etc?

Sure darkness is a factor, but I think these countries are a lot less tainted than our industrial lives

Jack Boreham, that's what I thought as well! I thought that conditions were the way to make people satisfied. I guess it's not all that it takes

I guess not everything is as great as it seems. I can see how sunlight might be a factor that influences our lives. However, they have many conditions that improve their life quality, so it seems odd how one factor can impact their happiness level

Jack Boreham, would you move to one of the Nordic countries?

Sara Pinto I would actually. I've always dreamed of becoming a Viking 😂

Jack Boreham, well, I'm not sure about the salary of a viking, but you'd have all the other benefits haha. Plus, vikings look pretty cool so I guess you hapiness level would be high haha

Sara Pinto hahahah😂. Very high

Abeer Limarc Ambalina, what about you guys? Would you go to a nordic country for the life conditions or for the chance of becoming a viking like Jack Boreham? Haha

Sara Pinto, I think they're financially happier 😂
Which is more than I can say for us. Maybe that's why we like sunsets, beaches and beer so much - to distract ourselves from our finances.

Mónica Freitas, your opinion makes total sense, but I guess the grass is always greener on the other side haha. We definitely like the good weather, but we are always complaining about how we wish to have their living conditions. I suppose they envy us for the opposite haha

Would you consider moving to enjoy their financial benefits? Mónica Freitas

Sara Pinto maybe for a few months or a year, sure. But I do love the sun way too much 😂
Would you?

Mónica Freitas, I'd love to visit, but actually living there? Maybe only for a few months too. I'm starting to see why they're not as happy as we thought haha

Sara Pinto, maybe we can just work remotely with one of their companies, reap the benefits and still enjoy our sunshine 😂

Mónica Freitas, now, that's the dream 😂

Sara Pinto updating my cv as we speak 😂