Iraq is ranked 101st globally and eighth in the Arab world on the World Happiness Report, which examines well-being across 147 nations. Notably, trust and kindness significantly impact happiness levels. Finland remains the happiest country, while Iraq and several other Arab nations rank lower. The report underscores social factors as crucial for enhancing national happiness.
In the recent World Happiness Report, Iraq ranks 101st globally and eighth in the Arab region out of 147 nations evaluated. The report, generated through collaboration between Gallup, Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, analyzed data from 2022 to 2024. It assessed factors influencing happiness, such as social support, income, health, and perceptions of corruption.
The findings indicated that “belief in kindness and trust in others” significantly impacts happiness levels, suggesting a stronger correlation than previously acknowledged. Interestingly, the study found that the expectation of strangers returning a lost wallet is linked to increased happiness. Nordic nations consistently rank highest in happiness and excel in trust-associated metrics.
Iraq’s happiness score stood at 4.979 out of 10. Finland maintains its title as the happiest country for the eighth year, with a score of 7.735, followed by Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden. The Netherlands returned to the top five, while Costa Rica and Mexico entered the rankings for the first time in the top ten. Norway stood at seventh place.
Among major economies, Germany is ranked 22nd, the United Kingdom at 23rd, and the United States falls to 24th position, while Russia is situated at 66th place. In the Arab world, the United Arab Emirates leads at 21st globally, followed by Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain. Iraq is placed alongside Palestine, Morocco, and Tunisia at lower ranks.
Afghanistan ranks lowest on the happiness scale at 147th while Sierra Leone and Lebanon occupy the subsequent bottom positions at 146th and 145th respectively.
Iraq’s ranking of 101st on the happiness index underscores the need for continued efforts to enhance the factors contributing to happiness, such as social support and trust in society. The report highlights how belief in kindness correlates with overall satisfaction, a notion prevalent in countries known for their high happiness levels. While Iraq remains low in the rankings compared to its regional peers, other nations continue to demonstrate the importance of societal trust in achieving happiness.
Original Source: shafaq.com
