In "What is the Happiest Country on Earth," Kevin B DiBacco explores the surprising findings of the 2024 World Happiness Report, challenging conventional wisdom about prosperity and contentment. The book reveals that the United States has fallen out of the top 20 happiest nations (to 23rd place) for the first time, while Finland maintains its crown for the seventh consecutive year despite having a fraction of America's wealth.
DiBacco's analysis uncovers that happiness manifests differently across generations and cultures. Finland, despite its overall top ranking, doesn't lead in happiness for either those under 30 or over 60. Instead, Lithuania emerges as the leader in youth happiness, while Denmark excels in senior wellbeing.
The book examines the alarming 20% increase in global happiness inequality over the past dozen years?a metric that impacts societal wellbeing even more than income inequality. Most concerning is the youth happiness crisis in developed nations, with the United States ranking 62nd for those under 30 while remaining in the top 10 for those over 60.
Beyond identifying problems, DiBacco explores successful models from around the world and offers solutions at policy, community, and individual levels. The book concludes that truly successful societies focus less on maximizing happiness for select groups and more on reducing unhappiness across the population.
This essential read transforms complex happiness data into accessible insights for policymakers, community leaders, and individuals seeking to understand and improve wellbeing in their communities and personal lives.
