The Foundations of Happiness Rankings

The World Happiness Report ranks countries based on well-being, primarily assessing life satisfaction through a critical question known as the Cantril Ladder. This measure involves respondents rating their life on a scale from zero to ten, which provides a simplified view of individual contentment. While Nordic countries like Finland consistently top the charts, researchers argue that reliance on wealth and status often overshadows other essential factors contributing to well-being. This single-dimensional approach might not fully capture nuances such as social connections and personal relationships that also influence happiness.