Young Southeast Asian Happiness Ranking

The World Happiness Report annually ranks global mood, and for the first time, it has dissected the data by age group. Across the world, Lithuania claims the top spot for young people, with its under-30 population reporting an average happiness rating of 7.6 out of 10. However, when considering young people alone, Finland slips to seventh place. In Southeast Asia, Thailand outshines the consistently top-ranked Singapore, while Myanmar remains the least happy in the region. The report also reveals a generational divide: those born before 1965 tend to be happier than those born since 1980, and this gap widens as they age. Among millennials, happiness ratings decline with each passing year, while satisfaction for baby boomers increases with age.

Prof Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, director of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre and editor of the World Happiness Report, emphasizes that this research should serve as an alarm bell for policy-makers. He highlights disconcerting drops in happiness, particularly in North America and Western Europe. The realization that some children around the world are already experiencing the equivalent of a mid-life crisis demands urgent policy action.

Miika Mäkitalo, Chief Executive of HappyOrNot, a Finnish company specializing in measuring customer satisfaction, attributes his country’s success to a combination of societal trust and a healthy work-life balance. In Finland, work is confined to specific hours, leaving ample time for hobbies, evening activities, and annual vacations lasting four to six weeks. This balance allows people to connect with nature and engage in activities they truly enjoy.