What makes Finland the happiest place on Earth?
A report from Theguardian says the writer has visited Finland every year since she was a baby and notes that Finns have topped the World Happiness Report for the last eight years. Visit Finland used the ranking in a “Masterclass of Happiness” campaign and Lonely Planet named Finland in its 2026 Best in Travel guide as a country “for finding happiness in wild places”.
The piece highlights several explanations offered by Finns, from a wry national claim of “low expectations” to societal factors such as relatively high levels of education and equality. The article emphasises the peace of mind that comes from simple pleasures and connecting with nature: Jokamiehenoikeudet (Everyman’s Right) for roaming and berry-picking, swimming and warming by the lake, and the role of saunas such as Löyly, including the winter ritual of cutting a hole in the sea ice to cool off.
Finland