Sweden remains the world's fourth happiest country – and it affects us more than we think
According to Professor Micael Dahlen at the Center for Wellbeing, Welfare and Happiness, this ranking matters for several reasons. One being that things might not be as bad as we sometimes think.
“We’re going through challenging times – economic uncertainty, crime, and grim news headlines. But if we take a step back, we can also see that a lot in everyday life works. We have stability, security, and a society that holds up well, at least in an international comparison. That’s something worth appreciating,” says Dahlen.
Happiness also strengthens society, democracy, and the economy.
“When people feel good, they do good. Happier people tend to be more generous, more productive, and more willing to help others. Happiness improves society across the board, and it’s not something we should take for granted,” says Dahlen.
A study from the research center also shows that Sweden’s ranking in the World Happiness Report has a clear, measurable impact on how Swedes see themselves – and how they feel.
With the help of Norstat, Dahlen and his team compared happiness levels before and after last year’s report was released. The result? Swedes' average happiness increased from 6.7 to 6.8 on a 10-point scale. A small but important shift – where a single decimal can mean the difference between multiple ranking positions.
“We often think of happiness as something personal, but there’s strong evidence that it’s shaped by how we see society and how the world sees us. When we hear that we live in one of the world’s happiest countries, it becomes part of our self-image – and we actually feel happier,” says Dahlen.
The study also showed that the public’s perception of Sweden shifted dramatically. The number of Swedes who believed the country ranked among the top 10 happiest in the world jumped from less than 50% to 85%.
“Before the report, there was no clear link between how happy someone felt and how happy they thought Sweden was. Afterward, the connection was strong. Sweden’s ranking became a mirror for people’s happiness,” says Dahlen.
So what does Sweden’s fourth-place ranking really mean for us? It means we have a reason to celebrate – and the act of celebrating might just make us even happier.
