Photo: RichVintage / E+ / Getty Images
U.S. Falls In Happiness Rankings
The U.S. is no longer in the top 20 happiest countries in the world. It's the first time that's happened since rankings were started by Gallup back in 2012. According to The World Happiness Report, Americans are now 23rd on the list.
Happiness has fallen among all age groups, but particularly those under age 30, thanks in part to unaffordable housing and a growing sense of loneliness.
Nordic countries top the list, with Finland at number one.
Via CBS News:
In the US, happiness or subjective wellbeing has decreased in all age groups, but especially for young adults," Gallup managing director Ilana Ron Levey told CBS News in an emailed statement, adding that social connections are one key factor contributing to these generational disparities in happiness.
"The World Happiness Report and the Gallup/Meta social connectedness data show peak loneliness for younger Americans. It's widely recognized that social support and feelings of loneliness are influential factors in determining overall happiness, and these dynamics differ across various age groups," she said. "The quality of interpersonal relationships may impact the wellbeing of younger and older individuals in distinct ways."
Finland ranked No. 1 on the overall list of the world's happiest countries for the seventh year in a row. The top 10 in the latest report are:
- Finland
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Sweden
- Israel
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Luxembourg
- Switzerland
- Australia