Iraq Achieves 101st Place in Global Happiness Index

Iraq ranks 101st globally and 8th in the Arab world in happiness. The World Happiness Report emphasizes the importance of social trust and kindness for well-being. Finland is the happiest country for the eighth year, while the UAE leads in the Arab region.

In the latest World Happiness Report, Iraq ranked 101st worldwide and 8th in the Arab region out of 147 countries assessed. The study, conducted by Gallup, Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, utilized data collected between 2022 and 2024 to evaluate various dimensions of well-being, including social support, income, health, and perceptions of corruption.

The report revealed a significant finding: “belief in kindness and trust in others” has a more substantial influence on happiness than previously recognized. Additionally, participants’ expectations of strangers returning lost items, like wallets, linked to higher happiness levels. Nordic nations, consistently ranked as the happiest globally, also excel in trust-related measures.

Iraq’s happiness score was 4.979 out of 10. Finland maintained its title as the happiest nation for the eighth straight year, earning a score of 7.735, followed by Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden. The Netherlands made a return to the top five, with Costa Rica and Mexico achieving their first placements within the top ten; Norway was ranked seventh.

In the context of major economies, Germany placed 22nd, the United Kingdom 23rd, and the United States dropped to 24th. Russia was reported at 66th. Within the Arab world, the United Arab Emirates led at 21st globally, trailed by Kuwait at 30th, Saudi Arabia at 32nd, Oman at 52nd, and Bahrain at 59th. Iraq, ranked 101st, was followed by Palestine at 108th, Morocco at 112th, and Tunisia at 113th.

At the bottom of the happiness index, Afghanistan was identified as the least happy nation in the world, ranking 147th, followed by Sierra Leone at 146th and Lebanon at 145th.

In summary, Iraq’s ranking of 101st on the World Happiness Report highlights the complex interplay of social trust and perceived kindness in contributing to overall happiness. While Nordic countries excel in happiness and trust metrics, Iraq’s position reminds observers of the ongoing challenges within the region. Strengthening social bonds and improving public perceptions could be key to enhancing well-being in Iraq and its neighboring nations.

Original Source: shafaq.com