Finns the world’s happiest despite ups and downs

HELSINKI: Finns have long been perceived as taciturn and introverted people in a country known for its dark, cold winters and high suicide rate. Today, they are also considered the world’s happiest.

In the just released 2018 United Nations World Happiness Report, Finland took the top spot, followed by its Scandinavian neighbours and Switzerland, the Netherlands, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

“When we heard about it, we thought it was a mistake,” laughed Ulla-Maija Rouhiainen, 64, a retiree living here.

The UN report found that Finland and the other countries at the top of the rankings all performed well on key issues that support wellbeing: income, healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom, trust and generosity.

Finland excels in each of these areas. Wage gaps are narrow, and the annual median salary in 2015 was 25,694 euros (RM124,000). That compares with 21,970 euros in France and to 7,352 euros in Latvia, the same year.

Along with Norway, Finland is the only European country to have succeeded in cutting the number of homeless people between 2014 and 2016, according to a study by the European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless published earlier this week.

Overall, Finns daily lives are generally harmonious.

They have an efficient healthcare system, flexible working hours and generous parental leave, making it possible to balance work and family life.

Neither the heavy tax burden, which pays for efficient public services, nor the centre-right g o v e r n m e n t ’ s a u s t e r i t y m e asures, aimed at boosting economic recovery after years of slump, are questioned.

And they trust their welfare state: 81 per cent of Finns have confidence in the education system compared with an OECD average of 67 per cent.

And, 75 per cent trust the judicial system compared with the international organisation’s average of 55 per cent.

In a nation where few people go to church, saunas, one of the most popular leisure activities, have replaced mass.

The 5.5 million Finns indulge in the steamy relaxation at least once a week.

“When you’re in a sauna, you feel really happy,” said Teri Kauranen, 68, warming herself after a chilly dip in the sea.