This Is the Most Miserable Group of Americans and Here’s the Proof

24/7 Wall St. Insights

For the seventh year in a row, Finland is ranked as the happiest country in the world, due in part to strong community connections and financial stability.
The U.S., now ranked 23rd, fell out of its spot in the top 20 happiest countries for the first time since 2012, driven by a large drop in the wellbeing of Americans in one specific age group.
Younger people are typically happer than older people across the board, but the opposite is true in North America.
Also: Discover the “Next NVIDIA”

Filmmakers debuted “Agent of Happiness” during the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. The documentary film centers on Amber, a “happiness agent” who travels around Bhutan asking questions in an attempt to understand how happy people really are. Some individuals, like a woman whose cow just gave birth, rated their happiness at a stunning 10/10. Others, like a teenager whose family faced alcoholism, rated their happiness much lower. The film asks a question that has been debated by national leaders and everyday citizens alike: what does happiness mean, and how can we measure it? (Here are the 20 countries on Earth that are actually getting happier.)

As evidenced by the film, “happiness” may differ from country to country, and may depend on various social, political, and economic elements. To identify the 40 happiest countries in the world, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the World Happiness Report 2024, published in partnership with Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and an editorial board. Countries are ranked by the average score for the years 2021-2023. We also added gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in current U.S. dollars, life expectancy at birth, and population totals from the World Bank. Data for Taiwan was sourced from FocusEconomics for GDP per capita and the CIA World Factbook for life expectancy and population figures.

The Cantril ladder score is based on the Gallup World Survey, which asked people across 137 countries the following question: “Please imagine a ladder, with steps numbered from 0 at the bottom to 10 at the top. The top of the ladder represents the best possible life for you and the bottom of the ladder represents the worst possible life for you. On which step of the ladder would you say you personally feel you stand at this time?” The report attempts to explain a country’s average ladder score into components explained by six hypothesized underlying determinants: GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, social support, perceived freedom to make life choices, generosity, and perception of corruption.

Finland is the happiest country on the list, with a number of Nordic neighbors also remaining in the top 10. Most other countries on the list are in Europe or North America, but not all, with several in Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. All countries but four have higher GDP per capita than the world average of $12,688, with the 10 happiest countries having GDPs per capita of over $50,000. In all, the report found that GDP per capita is the factor explaining most of the happiness score – except in the U.S., where happiness has fallen despite a high-ranking GDP.

Why We’re Sharing Happiness

Numerous sociopolitical and socioeconomic factors play a role in a country’s happiness. Looking at the world’s happiest countries provides a deeper understanding of what country leadership prioritizes and how those priorities affect the citizens living there. By examining these nations, 24/7 Wall St. aims to identify the successful policies and practices that contribute to overall satisfaction. Other world leaders can use these insights to improve their own nations and the communities within.

Here are the 40 happiest countries in the world:

40. Malta

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 6.346 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Positive
Happiest age group: Young (below 30) (age group rank: 57)
Least happy age group: Upper Middle Age (between 45 and 59) (age group rank: 38)
GDP per capita, 2022: $34,128 — #25 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 82.9 years — #11 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 531,113

39. Panama

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 6.358 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Negative
Happiest age group: Young (below 30) (age group rank: 26)
Least happy age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 56)
GDP per capita, 2022: $17,358 — #45 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 76.2 years — #47 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 4,408,581

38. Chile

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 6.360 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Negative
Happiest age group: Young (below 30) (age group rank: 39)
Least happy age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 46)
GDP per capita, 2022: $15,355 — #47 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 78.9 years — #31 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 19,603,733

37. Serbia

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 6.411 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Positive
Happiest age group: Young (below 30) (age group rank: 3)
Least happy age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 54)
GDP per capita, 2022: $9,538 — #60 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 72.7 years — #73 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 6,664,449

36. Spain

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 6.421 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Positive
Happiest age group: Upper Middle Age (between 45 and 59) (age group rank: 29)
Least happy age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 29)
GDP per capita, 2022: $29,675 — #32 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 83.2 years — #7 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 47,778,340

35. Poland

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 6.442 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Positive
Happiest age group: Upper Middle Age (between 45 and 59) (age group rank: 24)
Least happy age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 40)
GDP per capita, 2022: $18,688 — #42 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 75.6 years — #49 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 36,821,749

34. Estonia

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 6.448 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Positive
Happiest age group: Lower Middle Age (between 30 and 44) (age group rank: 24)
Least happy age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 35)
GDP per capita, 2022: $28,247 — #34 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 76.7 years — #41 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 1,348,840

33. El Salvador

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 6.469 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Positive
Happiest age group: Young (below 30) (age group rank: 17)
Least happy age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 52)
GDP per capita, 2022: $5,127 — #82 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 70.7 years — #85 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 6,336,392

32. Romania

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 6.491 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Positive
Happiest age group: Young (below 30) (age group rank: 8)
Least happy age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 48)
GDP per capita, 2022: $15,787 — #46 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 73.0 years — #70 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 19,047,009

31. Taiwan Province of China

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 6.503 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Positive
Happiest age group: Young (below 30) (age group rank: 25)
Least happy age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 34)
GDP per capita, 2022: $32,698 — #27 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 81.4 years — #23 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 23,588,613

30. Singapore

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 6.523 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Negative
Happiest age group: Upper Middle Age (between 45 and 59) (age group rank: 25)
Least happy age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 26)
GDP per capita, 2022: $82,808 — #5 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 83.4 years — #5 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 5,637,022

29. Kosovo

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 6.561 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Positive
Happiest age group: Young (below 30) (age group rank: 23)
Least happy age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 39)
GDP per capita, 2022: $5,340 — #81 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 76.8 years — #40 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 1,761,985

28. Saudi Arabia

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 6.594 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Positive
Happiest age group: Upper Middle Age (between 45 and 59) (age group rank: 14)
Least happy age group: Lower Middle Age (between 30 and 44) (age group rank: 39)
GDP per capita, 2022: $30,448 — #30 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 76.9 years — #39 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 36,408,820

27. France

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 6.609 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Negative
Happiest age group: Lower Middle Age (between 30 and 44) (age group rank: 23)
Least happy age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 25)
GDP per capita, 2022: $40,886 — #23 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 82.3 years — #16 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 67,971,311

26. Uruguay

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 6.611 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Positive
Happiest age group: Young (below 30) (age group rank: 30)
Least happy age group: Upper Middle Age (between 45 and 59) (age group rank: 34)
GDP per capita, 2022: $20,795 — #41 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 75.4 years — #50 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 3,422,794

25. Mexico

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 6.678 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Negative
Happiest age group: Young (below 30) (age group rank: 22)
Least happy age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 33)
GDP per capita, 2022: $11,497 — #54 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 70.2 years — #92 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 127,504,125

24. Germany

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 6.719 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Negative
Happiest age group: Lower Middle Age (between 30 and 44) (age group rank: 16)
Least happy age group: Young (below 30) (age group rank: 47)
GDP per capita, 2022: $48,718 — #19 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 80.9 years — #27 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 83,797,985

23. United States

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 6.725 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Negative
Happiest age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 10)
Least happy age group: Lower Middle Age (between 30 and 44) (age group rank: 42)
GDP per capita, 2022: $76,330 — #6 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 76.3 years — #46 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 333,287,557

22. United Arab Emirates

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 6.733 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Negative
Happiest age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 11)
Least happy age group: Lower Middle Age (between 30 and 44) (age group rank: 25)
GDP per capita, 2022: $53,708 — #14 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 78.7 years — #34 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 9,441,129

21. Slovenia

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 6.743 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Positive
Happiest age group: Young (below 30) (age group rank: 15)
Least happy age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 32)
GDP per capita, 2022: $28,439 — #33 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 80.9 years — #28 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 2,111,986

20. United Kingdom

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 6.749 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Negative
Happiest age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 20)
Least happy age group: Lower Middle Age (between 30 and 44) (age group rank: 27)
GDP per capita, 2022: $46,125 — #21 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 80.7 years — #29 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 66,971,395

19. Lithuania

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 6.818 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Positive
Happiest age group: Young (below 30) (age group rank: 1)
Least happy age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 44)
GDP per capita, 2022: $25,065 — #36 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 74.3 years — #58 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 2,831,639

18. Czechia

Czechia | Vltava River and Charle bridge with red foliage

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 6.822 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Positive
Happiest age group: Young (below 30) (age group rank: 10)
Least happy age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 23)
GDP per capita, 2022: $27,227 — #35 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 77.4 years — #37 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 10,672,118

17. Ireland

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 6.838 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Negative
Happiest age group: Young (below 30) (age group rank: 21)
Least happy age group: Upper Middle Age (between 45 and 59) (age group rank: 21)
GDP per capita, 2022: $103,983 — #3 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 82.1 years — #18 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 5,127,170

16. Belgium

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 6.894 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Negative
Happiest age group: Lower Middle Age (between 30 and 44) (age group rank: 13)
Least happy age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 19)
GDP per capita, 2022: $49,927 — #17 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 81.9 years — #20 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 11,685,814

15. Canada

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 6.900 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Negative
Happiest age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 8)
Least happy age group: Young (below 30) (age group rank: 58)
GDP per capita, 2022: $55,522 — #12 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 82.6 years — #14 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 38,929,902

14. Austria

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 6.905 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Negative
Happiest age group: Young (below 30) (age group rank: 12)
Least happy age group: Upper Middle Age (between 45 and 59) (age group rank: 18)
GDP per capita, 2022: $52,085 — #15 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 81.2 years — #24 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 9,041,851

13. Kuwait

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 6.951 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Positive
Happiest age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 13)
Least happy age group: Lower Middle Age (between 30 and 44) (age group rank: 20)
GDP per capita, 2022: $41,080 — #22 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 78.7 years — #35 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 4,268,873

12. Costa Rica

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 6.955 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Negative
Happiest age group: Young (below 30) (age group rank: 11)
Least happy age group: Upper Middle Age (between 45 and 59) (age group rank: 23)
GDP per capita, 2022: $13,365 — #51 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 77.0 years — #38 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 5,180,829

11. New Zealand

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 7.029 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Negative
Happiest age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 6)
Least happy age group: Lower Middle Age (between 30 and 44) (age group rank: 18)
GDP per capita, 2022: $48,419 — #20 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 82.2 years — #17 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 5,124,100

10. Australia

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 7.057 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Negative
Happiest age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 9)
Least happy age group: Lower Middle Age (between 30 and 44) (age group rank: 14)
GDP per capita, 2022: $65,100 — #9 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 83.3 years — #6 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 26,005,540

9. Switzerland

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 7.060 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Negative
Happiest age group: Young (below 30) (age group rank: 13)
Least happy age group: Upper Middle Age (between 45 and 59) (age group rank: 11)
GDP per capita, 2022: $93,260 — #4 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 83.9 years — #3 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 8,775,760

8. Luxembourg

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 7.122 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Positive
Happiest age group: Young (below 30) (age group rank: 6)
Least happy age group: Lower Middle Age (between 30 and 44) (age group rank: 11)
GDP per capita, 2022: $125,006 — #1 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 82.7 years — #13 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 653,103

7. Norway

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 7.302 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Negative
Happiest age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 3)
Least happy age group: Young (below 30) (age group rank: 20)
GDP per capita, 2022: $108,729 — #2 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 83.2 years — #8 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 5,457,127

6. Netherlands

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 7.319 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Negative
Happiest age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 7)
Least happy age group: Young (below 30) (age group rank: 9)
GDP per capita, 2022: $57,025 — #10 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 81.5 years — #21 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 17,700,982

5. Israel

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 7.341 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Positive
Happiest age group: Young (below 30) (age group rank: 2)
Least happy age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 18)
GDP per capita, 2022: $54,931 — #13 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 82.5 years — #15 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 9,557,500

4. Sweden

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 7.344 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Negative
Happiest age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 4)
Least happy age group: Young (below 30) (age group rank: 18)
GDP per capita, 2022: $56,424 — #11 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 83.2 years — #9 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 10,486,941

3. Iceland

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 7.525 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Negative
Happiest age group: Young (below 30) (age group rank: 4)
Least happy age group: Lower Middle Age (between 30 and 44) (age group rank: 4)
GDP per capita, 2022: $73,467 — #7 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 83.1 years — #10 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 382,003

2. Denmark

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 7.583 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Negative
Happiest age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 1)
Least happy age group: Young (below 30) (age group rank: 5)
GDP per capita, 2022: $67,790 — #8 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 81.4 years — #22 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 5,903,037

1. Finland

Happiness score, 2021-2023: 7.741 out of 10
Decade change in happiness : Positive
Happiest age group: Old (age 60+) (age group rank: 2)
Least happy age group: Young (below 30) (age group rank: 7)
GDP per capita, 2022: $50,872 — #16 highest of 145 countries
Life expectancy, 2021: 81.9 years — #19 highest of 145 countries
Population, 2022: 5,556,106

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