Why Are the Scandinavians So Happy?

And What Can We Learn From Them?

We often think of happiness as something personal — a feeling, a mindset, maybe even a bit of luck. But what if happiness is also political, cultural, even structural? And what if the countries getting it most right aren’t the ones you’d expect?

Let’s be honest: by the measures that actually matter, the UK is struggling. Trust is low. Loneliness is high. And for many, life feels more like something to endure than enjoy. Meanwhile, the Nordic countries — despite their long winters and high taxes — consistently top the charts for happiness. So what have they figured out that we haven’t? And what might we learn from them about building a life that actually feels good to live?

Because it’s not about the weather, wealth or Instagram-perfect lifestyles. The World Happiness Report is based on six key pillars: trust in institutions, strong social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and low levels of corruption. And year after year, Finland, Denmark, Iceland and Sweden score off the charts. So what exactly are they getting right?