FOR the fourth year in a row, Finland sits at the top of the World Happiness Report, a ranking of the world's happiest people. The Nordic country is ahead of Iceland, Denmark and Switzerland. By comparison France came in 21st place.
Searching for happiness? Perhaps it's to be found in Finland. For the fourth year in a row, the Nordic country is ranked as the happiest country in the world. That's despite the fact that the climate is difficult, with temperatures plunging to -30 C, and the very short days where sunshine is rare. So what's the Finnish secret?
A respectful social model
Élise left France during her studies in economics to spend a year away in Finland between 2017 and 2018. The young woman, then 20 years old, discovered Helsinki, a city where she felt safe. "Generally speaking, there is a great deal of respect, no one comes to bother you on the street, in nightclubs or other places. Women are much freer to dress and do whatever they want," she explains before continuing. "On one occasion, a person came over to talk to me and when I told him I wasn't interested he apologized and left."
As for Finns having a reputation of being not very outgoing, even solitary, the Frenchwoman notes that "they can seem somewhat cold at first, but once you get to know them a little you're quickly made to feel part of the group," she smiles. Student living is highly developed. "There are entire buildings that are self-managed. The students do what they want and it doesn't turn into a squat as you might expect. As a result, the students are very united, regardless of their major," she says.
A strong attachment to nature
With forest covering 70% of the territory, Finns are very close to nature. "In Helsinki, you are close to the beach and within a few metro stops you can get to large forests and natural parks," explains the former University of Helsinki student. Also the law has been adapted to allow everyone to walk through the forests and pick berries. This is the "right of everyone."
The Finns are also respectful of the environment. "Barbecues are often organized on the beach. I have never seen a single piece of waste lying around afterwards, same thing in the forest. It's a very clean city," says the young woman.
So are straightforward interpersonal relations and proximity with nature the main reasons for satisfaction?
"People here trust the government, feel safe and are satisfied with their social security and the level of education. All of this contributes to this sense of well-being. And this should be one of the key indicators when making political decisions," explained Frank Martela, philosopher and researcher at the University of Helsinki and specialist in happiness, on France Inter.
The title of happiest country in the world has made some of those directly concerned smile, as Tom Nuttall of The Economist related on Twitter in 2020: "Finnish minister enthusiastically introduced as representative of "world's happiest nation". Finnish minister: "If that's true, I'd hate to see the other nations."
ETX Studio
Sun Jun 06 2021
"People here trust the government, feel safe and are satisfied with their social security and the level of education," says philosopher and researcher, Frank Martela.
Negeri Sembilan selaras kenaikan gaji ikut Persekutuan - MB
Kerajaan Negeri Sembilan akan turut melaksanakan penyelarasan kenaikan gaji penjawat awam di negeri itu sepertimana dilakukan di peringkat Persekutuan.
Perdana Menteri tegur imigresen isu kesesakan pelancong di pintu masuk
Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim hari ini menegur Jabatan Imigresen berhubung isu kesesakan di pintu masuk negara khususnya di lapangan terbang.
Gempa bumi berkembar gegar Bandung
Dua gempa bumi menggegarkan Bandung, Jawa Barat pada Rabu menjejaskan tiga keluarga dan menyebabkan tiga rumah rosak selain dua masjid, tiga sekolah serta sebuah pusat kesihatan.
18 kecederaan, parut pada Bella bukan rekaan saksi - Hakim
Hakim berkata, perkara itu dibuktikan oleh saksi-saksi perubatan bahawa kecederaan dialami Bella, bukan kemalangan atau perbuatan mangsa sendiri.
Letusan terakhir 22 tahun lalu
Semua penduduk dinasihatkan untuk memakai pelitup muka kerana debu dan asap dari letusan gunung berapi mampu mengganggu saluran pernafasan.
UNRWA bimbang berlaku penyebaran penyakit di Gaza
Agensi Bantuan dan Kerja Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu bagi Pelarian Palestin (UNRWA) menyatakan wujud kebimbangan penyebaran penyakit akibat serangan tanpa henti rejim Zionis di Gaza.
Ops Rentap Trio tumpas geng ragut tumpu lokasi pelancongan
Lima rakan yang menjadi dalang 45 kes samun, ragut dan curi motosikal ditahan melalui beberapa serbuan.
Bella masih trauma dianiaya, diabai Siti Bainun - Peguam
Bella masih trauma dianiaya, diabai Siti Bainun - Peguam
'Game changer' akan diumum dalam masa terdekat - KDN
Saifuddin menambah masih banyak ruang yang boleh ditambah baik di pintu-pintu masuk negara khususnya untuk menerima kedatangan para pelancong.
JAKIM buka talian khas terima aduan hina Islam
Jabatan Kemajuan Islam (JAKIM) telah mewujudkan talian khas 24 jam sebagai platform untuk menyalurkan aduan berkaitan isu penghinaan terhadap agama Islam termasuk yang dicetuskan menerusi laman media sosial.
Finland umum sambung pembiayaan untuk UNRWA
Keputusan ini selepas Suruhanjaya Eropah mengumumkan awal bulan ini ia akan menyumbang EUR50 juta untuk pembiayaan UNRWA.
Britain, Finland pula tangguh biaya UNRWA susulan dakwaan Israel
Britain dan Finland telah menyertai negara-negara lain dalam menangguhkan pembiayaan kepada UNRWA.
Finland tutup empat lintasan sempadan dengan Rusia
Finland menutup empat lintasan sempadannya dengan Rusia pada awal pagi Sabtu ekoran peningkatan mendadak migran yang dibenarkan oleh pihak berkuasa Rusia tanpa dokumentasi lengkap.
Badminton Terbuka Artik : Wei Chong-Kai Wun hampiri raih gelaran kedua tahun ini
Pasangan beregu badminton lelaki negara Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun layak ke final badminton Terbuka Artik 2023 di Vantaa, Finland.
Finland dilantik Presiden Majlis Negara Laut Baltik
Finland secara rasmi mengambil alih jawatan presiden Majlis Negara Laut Baltik (CBSS) dari Jerman untuk tempoh setahun mulai 1 Julai 2023, Xinhua memetik pengumuman kerajaan Finland pada Sabtu.
Gabenor Bank of Finland umum bertanding pemilihan presiden
Rehn berkata beliau bersedia untuk bertanding jawatan presiden secara bersendirian dan dengan sokongan partinya, Centre Party.
Petteri Orpo dilantik perdana menteri baharu Finland
Ketua Parti Gabungan Kebangsaan Finland, Petteri Orpo dilantik menjadi perdana menteri baharu negara itu selepas mendapat kelulusan Parlimen dan Presiden pada Selasa.
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
27 cedera jejantas runtuh di Finland
Media sosial Finland tular dengan foto kejadian yang menunjukkan beberapa individu terbaring di atas jalan.
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah antara yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.