Finland, one of the happiest places on Earth, is known for its high happiness levels according to global reports. The sauna culture in Finland plays a significant role in the contentment of its people, with approximately 3 million saunas for a population of 5 million. The regular use of saunas is seen as a way for Finns to calm themselves, reset their minds, and process their thoughts, contributing to their overall sense of happiness.
Finnish society’s consensus-based approach, along with high levels of preparedness and resilience, are believed to be key factors in achieving happiness. The country excels in various metrics related to quality of life, good governance, and social equality. Democratic institutions, welfare services, and social cohesion are some of the elements contributing to the happiness of Finnish citizens.
The World Happiness Report, which ranks countries based on individuals’ self-reported happiness levels, consistently places Finland at the top. In contrast, the United States, ranked 23rd in the most recent report, shows lower levels of self-perceived happiness compared to Finland. Factors such as historical resilience against conflicts and societal preparedness for potential crises contribute to the overall contentment in Finnish society.
Finland’s past conflicts with Russia and its maintained military conscription system reflect a readiness for potential conflict situations. This preparation extends to various aspects of society, including maintaining bomb shelters, ensuring public and private partnerships for supply chains, and developing strategies for grocery store operations during power outages. Finland’s resilience strategies are seen as calming factors in the face of potential threats.
While Finland’s preparedness for war or disasters is commendable, challenges such as managing asylum seekers at its border with Russia and issues related to racism and gun laws persist. Despite these challenges, the overall sense of happiness and contentment among Finns is maintained through a combination of social cohesion, democratic values, and a strong sense of community. Sauna culture, historical resilience, and societal preparedness continue to play a role in making Finland one of the happiest countries in the world.
