Global Kindness Surprises in World Happiness Report

The 13th annual World Happiness Report indicates that people underestimate the kindness of strangers, which correlates with happiness levels. Finland maintains its status as the happiest country, while the US and UK see declines.

Strangers are shown to be about twice as kind as many individuals believe, according to a comprehensive study in this year’s World Happiness Report, released on Thursday. The report analyzed global happiness and assessed trust in strangers by intentionally leaving wallets in various locations, measuring the return rates compared to public expectations. Findings revealed that the likelihood of wallets being returned was nearly double what people anticipated, suggesting a significant disconnect between perception and reality regarding human kindness.

John F. Helliwell, an economist at the University of British Columbia and a founding editor of the report, emphasized the link between perceived kindness and happiness. He stated, “People are much happier living where they think people care about each other,” highlighting the prevalent pessimism about the likelihood of altruism.

Published annually to coincide with the UN’s International Day of Happiness, the report ranks countries based on self-reported life evaluations using a scale of 0-10. Finland continues to rank as the happiest country for the eighth consecutive year, achieving an average score of 7.736, while newcomers Costa Rica and Mexico enter the top ten for the first time. In contrast, both the UK and the US have slipped to 23rd and 24th places, marking a historic low for the latter.

The report, conducted by the University of Oxford's Wellbeing Research Centre, shows that the decline in happiness and social trust in the US and several parts of Europe contributes to growing political polarization. It also points out that sharing meals is strongly tied to wellbeing, and larger household sizes correlate with higher happiness levels, particularly in Mexico and Europe.

Jeffrey D. Sachs, president of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, stated that the research reaffirms that happiness is grounded in trust, kindness, and social connections. He urged individuals and communities to take transformative action based on these insights to promote civility and well-being.

Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, director of Oxford's Wellbeing Research Centre, concluded with a call to action, suggesting that in an era marked by social isolation and political strife, fostering communal gatherings is essential for enhancing both personal and shared well-being.