National Happiness Index

National Happiness Index

The National Happiness Index definition is the happiness index of a country that is counted on a yearly basis. On the basis of this index, countries are ranked from the highest happiness index to the lowest one. The scale of happiness index ranges from 0 to 10. In the year 2012, the first happiness index was given based on a survey carried out in countries. This survey was presented during the World Happiness Report. As the survey was being carried out, the citizens were asked to rate their happiness from a scale of 0 to 10. Once it was noted, the average happiness index was drawn out based on the citizens’ responses to calculate the survey results. 

History

1. Bhutanese Gross National Happiness Index was formed in 1972. This gave an idea to the World Happiness Index. Factors such as wealth, economic growth and comfort were not the ones that the government of Bhutan prioritised. 
2. Happiness was aimed at first, making it their priority. Multiple measurable factors stated the indexation of happiness in the nation ever since they created the track of records consisting of the happiness index. 
3. Later on, Bhutanese Gross National Happiness inspired the World Happiness Council. They formed their definition of happiness index. 
4. In the World Happiness Report, it was hereafter coined. In the World Happiness Report of 2018, the term ‘Happiness Index’ was not drafted even once. As a result, they steered away from this definition. ‘Happiness Ladder’ is the same concept and report that helps in determining overall happiness. The ‘Happiness Index’ not being taken into consideration, they replaced it with ‘Happiness Ladder’. Cantril ladder is also the other term for ‘Happiness Ladder’. The survey simply asks the citizens how satisfied they are with their lives right now. The scale of 0-10 remained the same. It went from very happy to quite sad. 
5. Specialists in the field of independent academic happiness formed a group. That group is now known as the Global Happiness Council. They were the first ones to calculate and determine the happiness index. 
6. Every year since 2012, they have carried out surveys in the countries and have released the World Happiness Report. To value collective happiness was the main goal of the government. 

World Happiness Index

The World Gull Poll provides its data to the World Happiness Index. United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network is the World Happiness Report publication. The report is based on the answers provided by the citizens of the countries of the ratings of their own lives. These ratings are measured on the scale of very happy to quite sad that is 0 to 10. The quality of life and various other factors are also related to the report. 

Being ranked for the fourth time in a row as the happiest country in the world, Finland still maintains its spot for all these years. This report is given out in March every year. The World Happiness Report website provides for the annual report that is available to the public to download. The Cantril Ladder survey determines the national happiness and the rankings of the countries based on the reports. 

National level differences in the life factors and quality are reflective of the respondents on their reports. Yet certain variables that can help determine the happiness index and report are not taken into consideration. Variables such as inequality and unemployment and their data are not comparable across all the countries and therefore not considered. 

Gross National Happiness Index

The 4th King of Bhutan, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, coined the term or phrase ‘gross national happiness. In 1972, he said that gross domestic product is not as important as gross national happiness. Non-economic aspects that are in the well-being of the citizens should also be given equal importance. 

A holistic approach towards progress notions that hold a sustainable development should be implied. This all sums up the concept derived from the 4th King of Bhutan. Bhutan’s economic and social policy has been influenced since then. But it not only influenced the government of Bhutan but also reached other borders of the world as well. 

Good governance, sustainable socio-economic development, environmental conservation and cultural preservation are the four pillars explained in Gross National Happiness. But to create a widespread understanding of GNH, the four pillars were again classified into nine domains. This helped in reflecting the holistic range of Gross National Happiness and its values. The further classified nine domains are:

1. Health.

2. Education.

3. Time use.

4. Wellbeing.

5. Cultural diversity and resilience.

6. Ecological diversity and resilience.

7. Good governance.

8. Community vitality.

9. Living standards. 

Happiness Index By Country

To determine the world’s happiest countries, the World Happiness Report uses statistical analysis. Ever since the year 2002, they have been making reports based on the happiness index in each country. The researchers have analysed comprehensive Gallup polling data from 149 countries. This is to determine the world’s happiest country in the last 3 years. Six particular categories are specifically monitored by their performances such as:

1. Social support.

2. Freedom to make your own life choices.

3. The generosity of the general population.

4. Gross domestic product per capita.

5. Heath life expectancy.

6. Perceptions of internal and external corruption levels. 

A fictional country was created to come to a distinct proper answer and compare each country’s data. The researchers named it ‘christened dystopia’, which was filled with people that were least happy in the world. The rock bottom value was given to this Dystopia. Every six categories and variables helped measure the World Happiness Index against this value for real-world countries. A single combined score for each country resulted by combining the six variables and categories.

As per the report of the World Happiness Index in the year 2021, here are the world’s happiest countries:

1. Finland.
2. Denmark.
3. Switzerland.
4. Iceland.
5. The Netherlands.
6. Norway.
7. Sweden.
8. Luxembourg.
9. New Zealand.
10. Austria.