WORLD HAPPINESS REPORT 2024

1. The World Happiness Report is an annual publication that ranks countries based on their happiness levels.
2. The report evaluates various factors to determine the overall happiness of a nation:
   1. Social support
   2. Income
   3. Health
   4. Freedom
   5. Generosity
   6. Absence of corruption
3. Finland has been ranked first as the world's happiest country for the seventh consecutive year in the 2024 edition.

Methodology

1. The World Happiness Report sources its data from various outlets, including the Gallup World Poll.
2. The report is a collaborative effort between the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Gallup, and the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre.
3. It is published annually on March 20, coinciding with the International Day of Happiness

India’s Ranking and Comparison

1. India ranked 126th out of 143 nations in the World Happiness Report 2024.
2. India is behind many countries including Pakistan, Libya, Iraq, Palestine and Niger.
3. This ranking highlights the need for India to focus on improving various aspects of its citizens’ well-being.
4. All the neighboring countries of India performed better in the ranking.
5. China secured the 60th spot, followed by Nepal (93), Pakistan (108), Myanmar (118), Sri Lanka (128), and Bangladesh (129).

Happiness and Age in India

1. Older age is associated with higher life satisfaction in India.
2. This finding challenges the notion that this positive association only exists in high-income nations.
3. Gender disparities were observed, with older men reporting higher life satisfaction compared to older women on average.
4. When considering all other factors, older women reported higher life satisfaction than their male counterparts.

Education and Caste Disparities

1. The study found that education and social caste significantly impact life satisfaction among older adults in India.
2. Individuals with secondary or higher education reported higher life satisfaction.
3. Individuals from higher social castes also reported higher life satisfaction.
4. Those without formal education and those from scheduled castes and scheduled tribes experienced lower life satisfaction.

India’s Growing Older Population

1. India has the second-largest elderly population worldwide, with 140 million Indians aged 60 and above.
2. The average growth rate for this demographic is three times higher than the overall population growth rate of the country.
3. This highlights the importance of addressing the well-being and satisfaction of India’s aging population.

Factors Influencing Life Satisfaction: The report identified several factors associated with lower life satisfaction among older Indians:

1. Lower satisfaction with living arrangements
2. Perceived discrimination
3. Poor self-rated health

These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and policies to improve the quality of life of India's elderly population.

Nordic Countries Continue to Dominate

1. Nordic countries continue to dominate the top positions in the World Happiness Report.
2. Denmark and Iceland secured the second and third spots, respectively.
3. Sweden followed closely at fourth place.
4. This continued performance highlights the strong social support systems, high levels of trust and well-being that characterize these countries.

New Entries and Notable Changes

1. Costa Rica and Lithuania made their debut appearances in the top 20, securing the 12th and 19th positions, respectively.
2. This achievement underscores the growing recognition of these countries' efforts in promoting the well-being of their citizens.
3. On the other hand, Afghanistan remained at the bottom of the list as the least happy country.

Must Check: Best IAS Coaching In Delhi