5 reasons Finland was again named the world’s happiest country

Yes, it happened again: Finland topped the World Happiness Report for the eighth year in a row. Really!

Even in the midst of global uncertainty, Finland continues to rank highly across key factors such as life expectancy, government trust, income, social support, generosity and freedom.

To more outwardly expressive nations, Finns may not seem to display overt happiness – but rest assured, still waters run deep. Finland’s consistently high scores in social trust, security, and well-being point to a more profound sense of contentment.

As a Finnish proverb says, "Happiness does not come by searching, but by living." (Onni ei tule etsien, vaan eläen.)

Wondering where all this stems from? Take a look at some ways to experience happiness in Finland. 

1.     A WINNING WORK-LIFE BALANCE

If you are from a culture that emphasises long hours and hard work, a 37.5-hour workweek might initially seem far from ambitious. However, the Finnish approach to work actually prioritises both efficiency and wellbeing, with a strong culture of punctuality and finishing the day on time.

Flexible working hours have been in place since 1996, allowing employees to adjust their schedules to accommodate their commitments. What’s more, remote work has been common even in pre-pandemic times, supported by strong digital infrastructure and a workplace culture built on trust.

Family life is prioritised, and new mothers and fathers are entitled to up to 158 working days of full-time or part-time parental leave in total. Employees receive at least five weeks of annual paid holiday, with the month of July collectively understood to be spent elsewhere other than at the office.

Oh, those used to receiving instructions from the top-down take note: Finnish workplaces tend to have flat hierarchies, encouraging open communication, and employee initiative and input.

Curious about experiencing Finland’s work-life balance firsthand? Find out more here. 

2.     THE AUTHENTIC SAUNA EXPERIENCE

There’s a funny meme that captures Finnish culture perfectly – one image shows people standing at a bus stop, quietly standing metres apart, respecting one another’s personal space, while the next shows people in a sauna, sitting closely together and chatting eagerly. A time and a place.

Sauna is the Finnish way to unwind, and for many, a lakeside sauna is the ultimate happy place. Whether you seek solitude or prefer to socialise with family and friends, the heat, scents and sounds create a truly immersive experience that cleanses both body and mind.

Indeed, such is the cleanliness of the sauna that, historically, Finnish mothers often gave birth there, as it was also the warmest room in the house.

Yet, more than just a tradition, sauna remains a way of life for Finland’s 5.5 million citizens. With nearly 3.2 million saunas across the country – outnumbering the 2.8 million passenger cars – there’s a spot on the bench for everyone. There’s even a sauna in the Finnish Parliament.

Take a look at Visit Finland’s list of the five must-experience saunas in Finland.

3.     THE COLLABORATIVE SPIRIT

Finland has a strong culture of innovation. Indeed, did you know that the Finnish city of Espoo ranked sixth among European cities by patent applications?

The strong collaboration between the public and private sectors forms the backbone of Finland’s innovation economy. Industries, research institutes, universities and the government work together to develop disruptive technologies and innovative design.

Big hitters such as Nokia, Marimekko and Supercell have all actively embraced this collaborative spirit, with Solar Foods, ICEYE, Onego Bio and Dispelix all recent examples of research-based spin-outs.

“Collaboration, along with sisu, is really in the DNA of Finland,” says Johanna Jäkälä, executive director, Finland Promotion Services from Business Finland. “No one creates change alone, and that is why we are committed to bringing people and businesses together to team up, make unexpected connections, solve problems together and create an impact.”

This is but the tip of the innovation iceberg, Finland now aims to increase research and development expenditure to 4 per cent of its GDP by 2030. Meanwhile, the total research funding distributed through the Research Council of Finland will reach almost 600 million euros in 2025 – more than ever before.

Discover how to maximise this collaborative spirit. 

4.     TRUST IN A FUNCTIONAL SOCIETY

For anyone who has seen young kids walking to school alone in Finland – or even babies left out on the footpath in their prams whilst their mothers shop inside, trust has evidently deep roots in Finnish society.

Back in 2013, a Reader’s Digest experiment deliberately “lost” 192 wallets – containing ID, personal items, and the equivalent of 50 US dollars – across 19 cities worldwide. Fewer than half were returned, but in Helsinki, an impressive 11 out of 12 found their way back – the highest rate of any city.

High levels of trust simply means that life functions well across Finland. It certainly makes things easier when people can be taken at their word – Finns mean what they say and say what they mean. So much so, actually, that verbal agreements here have traditionally been as legally binding as written agreements.

Finland’s high levels of trust and freedom mean that happiness can be found all around the country. Indeed, six Finnish cities were ranked among the world’s best in the Happy City Index 2023, highlighting how thoughtful decision-making directly shapes the quality of life.

Take a look at some of the happiest cities around Finland. 

5.     NATURE AT OUR FINGERTIPS

Finland has a deep relationship with the environment, where nature is an essential part of daily life – indeed, it’s possible to take a ‘forest bath’ here to experience nature with all your senses.

With over 75 per cent of the country covered in forests and nearly 188 000 lakes, access to green spaces is easy, even in urban areas. The concept of Everyman’s Rights allows people to roam freely in nature, pick berries and mushrooms, and camp in most areas, reinforcing a culture of outdoor activity and environmental respect.

This relationship shapes Finland’s business approach, with sustainability and the bioeconomy at its core. The forestry industry has long been an engine for the economy, producing timber and paper. Yet nowadays, innovative wood-based products like biodegradable packaging and biofuels are on offer – there is even a company that transforms wood pulp into sustainable textile fibres without harmful chemicals (Spinnova).

Wild berries, mushrooms, and herbs – such as bilberries, cloudberries, and lingonberries – continue to be widely harvested for food, supplements, and nowadays even wine.

Beyond food and forestry, Finland’s bioeconomy extends also to skincare, ensuring responsible resource management while reinforcing the country’s reputation for pure, eco-friendly products.

Read about some natural cosmetics brands from Finland.