Skip to main content

The World’s 5 Happiest Countries and Why You Should Visit

Now that “lockdowns” are well behind us, subscription boxes for the most stylish drip are now a thing, and true crime podcasts are always in abundance, it’s easy to assume that Americans are the happiest people in the world. Not so, according to one report out of Columbia University. In fact, among the 156 countries ranked in this year’s World Happiness Report, the U.S. is No. 16. It turns out that in 2022, the world’s happiest people reside in Europe. The countries of northern Europe, in particular, take three of the five happiest in the world. Here’s why.

No. 5: The Netherlands

People ride their bikes in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam Sabina Fratila

Held against the more rugged and adventure-centric countries of Scandinavia, The Netherlands seems downright demure (the Red Light District notwithstanding). However, this is the way the Dutch like it. Known for its legendary artists, vintage windmills, chill coffee shops, and quirky architecture, The Netherlands a country that appreciates stopping to smell the tulips. Cycling the streets of Amsterdam along the city’s famed canals is a meditative experience unlike almost any other in Europe. It’s the ideal way not only to see the city, but also to put a finger on the pulse of what makes The Netherlands the fifth happiest country in the world.

No. 4: Switzerland

A view of Monte Brè and the Church Of San Lorenzo in Lugano, Switzerland.
Lugano adege/Pixabay (https://bit.ly/3JGHeYu)

With stunningly scenic mountains, charming lakeside villages, incredibly delicious cheeses, fashionably worldly cities, and a unique form of democratic governance, it’s not that hard to figure out why Switzerland made it into the top five this year. For a nation with four official languages (French, German, Italian, and Romansch), Switzerland’s collaborative system helps to maintain social harmony and multicultural national pride. Even though Switzerland is a relatively small country, there’s so much to explore within its (open) borders, from the towering Swiss Alps to the stylishly diplomatic streets of Geneva, and from the charmingly cosmopolitan neighborhoods of Zürich to the Mediterranean-esque lakeshore of Lugano. With so much natural beauty and rich culture packed into such a small country, we can see why the Swiss people are so happy.

No. 3: Iceland

A view of the Gullfoss Falls in Iceland.
Gullfoss Falls Mahkeo

Iceland has been on everybody’s “hot list” for several years now, enough so that it’s being loved to death. The country’s residents — known for their generosity, hospitality, and go-with-the-flow attitude — appear to be taking it all in stride. For adventurous travelers, the nation is like a condensed island that overflows with eye-popping landscapes that will humble even the most well-traveled visitor. Stunning volcanoes, waterfalls, fjords, and thermal features worthy of a Hollywood backdrop dot every corner of the island. Reykjavik being a beautiful, quirky, hard-partying capital city with a legendary nightlife scene is just the cherry on top.

No. 2: Denmark

Buildings of Copenhagen, Denmark viewed from the water.
Copenhagen Nick Karvounis

Denmark’s people are among the world’s happiest for many of the same reasons as the No. 1 country. At its core, the country values hygge, a deep appreciation for the simplicity in life, food, design, art, and pretty much everything that’s interwoven into the fabric of Danish culture. From a social perspective, the country is also a bastion of sustainability, progressive politics, and a near-perfect work-life balance. The capital city of Copenhagen is cozy, vibrant, quirky, artistic, and just plain fun.

No. 1: Finland

People walking the streets in Helsinki, Finland.
Helsinki Tapio Haaja

Scroll through the #finland hashtag on Instagram and it’s easy to see why the country’s citizens officially rank as the happiest in the world for the second year in a row. With a long history of beautiful design, a burgeoning culinary scene, people who appreciate the simplicity in life, and some of the most eye-popping scenery on the planet including near-daily occurrences of the Northern Lights, how could they not be? To the south, the capital city Helsinki anchors the country with some of Europe’s most interesting nightlife, including quirky bars and clubs packed with impossibly beautiful people. Plus, Finnish Lapland to the north is literally home to Santa Claus.

We hope this little list of ours put a big smile on your face. If you’re looking for more travel ideas to boost your own happiness score, check out this list of our favorite hot springs, our comparison of Cancún and Puerto Vallarta, and our Medellín (Colombia) travel guide. Wherever you head next, cheers to safe and happy travels!

The cover photo was taken by Ninara, licensed under Creative Commons, and made available by Flickr.

Editors' Recommendations

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Orlando travel guide: It’s more than just Disney
Orlando travel guide: Everything you need to know
Lake Eola, Orlando.

If you're not from Florida, you've likely visited there once when you were a kid and spent most of your time at a theme park. Or maybe you went down for spring break, and your memory of Florida is of overly sweet drinks, a gnarly sunburn, and not much else. The good news is Florida, and Orlando specifically, have so much more to offer. Orlando is a growing city (some research says 1500 people move to Orlando each week) and with that comes an influx of great restaurants, drinking establishments, and activities to meet the demands of this ever-growing population.

Whether you're interested in the theme parks or want to avoid them completely, this guide has you covered. If you know you want to travel to Florida but haven't decided exactly where yet, you might also check out Miami and Key West.

Read more
Your Key West travel guide for enjoying Florida’s more bohemian side
Key West travel guide: Where to stay, what to do, and more
Beach in Key West in early morning.

A chain of islands surrounded by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Key West is a world apart from the mainland. The southernmost city in the continental United States, the sun-soaked outpost treats visitors to a seamless blend of nature, nightlife, and history. Of course, it's easy to assume the place is little more than a three-mile-long bar -- and that's not entirely untrue. But, beyond the buzz of Duval Street and the side streets full of endless-happy-hour spots, there's more to see in this island paradise than most visitors ever consider.  The town has famously been home to literary giants including Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, Robert Frost, and Elizabeth Bishop. Of course, the tropical outpost was also the longtime home of Jimmy Buffet, who has regularly paid musical homage to Key West in his songs.

Today, locals appreciate the eccentric, the artistic, the bohemian, and celebrate anyone or anything that’s just a little weird. It's typically a bit more laid back than larger, busier Florida mainstays like Miami and Orlando. Here’s a guide to traveling the United States’ southernmost outpost like a proudly off-kilter local.

Read more
Take a dip in these 9 best hot springs across the globe
The world's best hot springs await at these 9 destinations
Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa

Deep from within the cracks of the Earth, from volcanic bedrock and natural mineral deposits, flows the water of the best hot springs around the world. Infused with elements like iron, sulfur, and arsenic, our favorite hot springs offer therapeutic properties relied on by ancient civilizations for healing ailments. They also offer stunning views that seem to put the world back into perspective.

So pack your swim trunks and passport, because we're taking you around the world to some of the best and most relaxing hot springs. Oh, and be sure to practice Onsen etiquette for an enjoyable hot springs experience for everyone.
Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa (Iceland)

Read more