Nepal Ranks 93rd in 2024 World Happiness Report

In its most recent unveiling on Wednesday, the 2024 World Happiness Report has positioned Nepal at 93rd among a roster of 143 countries. With its unwavering record, Finland retains the pole position for a remarkable seventh year in a row. The report notes an intriguing consistency among the happiness elite, with the upper echelon of ten nations showing little fluctuation from their pre-pandemic standings. At the forefront remains Finland, with Denmark as its runner-up, and all Nordic countries claiming their spots within the top ten.

Shifting the focus to subsequent rankings reveals a shakeup with Eastern European nations making strides in public contentment. Countries transitioning economically, including Chechnya, Lithuania, and Slovenia, have observed an uptick in happiness levels. This regional shift has had downstream effects on stalwarts like the United States and Germany, now relegated to 23rd and 24th places respectively.

Compiled through a collaboration that includes Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, the report divulges a pattern of diminishing life satisfaction that typically wanes from childhood into adulthood across various nations globally. Nonetheless, young individuals aged 15 to 24 consistently report a higher sense of life satisfaction compared to older adults. This youth satisfaction advantage is now closing in Western Europe and has surprisingly inverted in North America—attributed to a decline among younger demographics. Conversely, Sub-Saharan Africa is witnessing an elevation in life satisfaction amongst its youth demographic.

Overview of the 2024 Report: Themes, Basis and Related Matters

Themes

In this year's report, the following key subjects shaping our understanding of happiness were delved into:

• As we move through different phases of life, how does our sense of joy evolve? 
• Contrasting perceptions of contentment among Baby Boomers, Millennials, and Generation X. Turning to our younger population.
• Emerging worldwide patterns that are defining the well-being of children and teenagers.
• Understanding the complex relationship between mental well-being and dementia.
• Levels of satisfaction experienced by senior citizens in their later years.

Source of Data and Calculation of Rankings

According to the comprehensive World Happiness Report for 2024, data spanning from 2021 through 2023, collected via the Gallup World Poll surveys, offers us insight into global contentment. Central to this analysis is the Cantril ladder methodology which asks individuals to imagine a ladder. The top rung, number 10, represents an ideal life while the bottom rung, zero, symbolizes the worst. Participants are then invited to place their own lives on this scale. These responses provide the basis for the report's rankings which reflect the sentiment of national samples during the three years.

More than 100,000 individuals across 130 nations share their perspectives with the Gallup World Poll every year. Although participant numbers fluctuate annually, the breadth of these surveys is extensive and diverse. Researchers leverage Gallup's established weighting system to ensure these insights are both comprehensive and comparative.

A closer look at the report reveals nuanced sub-scores that detail how six various factors—income levels, lifespan expectations, altruism, communal support, personal freedoms, and levels of corruption—influence each country's happiness ratings relative to a fictional baseline nation termed 'Dystopia'. This imaginary worst-case scenario reflects the lowest average values for these key aspects.

These sub-scores do not alter a country’s overall ranking but rather clarify how each influential factor contributes to life satisfaction compared to Dystopia as perceived by its residents. Often queried is why certain nations outperform others in terms of happiness—these detailed breakdowns provide some clarity on this front by revealing what aspects of national well-being remain unexplained after considering these key factors.

Sample Size for Calculation of Rankings

To provide accurate and reliable data on life evaluations, the practice has been to engage approximately 1,000 individuals per country. Supposing a given nation conducted annual surveys, this would culminate in a sizable cohort of 3,000 participants over three years. This data from these three years ensures the estimates are both contemporary and dependable. In this year's analysis, information spanning from 2021 through 2023 has been amalgamated, amplifying the sample volume to mitigate the impact of potential errors stemming from random sampling.

Nepal and Her Happiness

As it stands, Nepal holds the 93rd place in the global rankings of the World Happiness Report. For a nation that is both culturally rich and developing economically, there are multiple avenues for improvement to consider. Let's delve into the strategies that could lead to a higher level of national contentment:

• In terms of socioeconomic and institutional factors, there's a need to ensure economic strides benefit all layers of society. While Nepal is witnessing growth, it's paramount that this translates to better living standards and a narrowing of the income gap. Creating employment opportunities with equitable pay and facilitating access to essentials like healthcare and education are key moves.
• The nation's traditional social fabric is one of its strengths. By bolstering community connections and nurturing a collective sense of identity through neighborhood programs, we can boost social support systems.
• Mental health concerns are rising on a global scale and tackling them requires ramping up awareness initiatives and providing accessible mental healthcare services, which can greatly uplift societal well-being.
• Looking at Nepal's cultural dynamics, there's immense potential in community-driven efforts. Promoting volunteer work, local celebrations, and social events meshes with the nation's communal ethos, providing a scaffold for stronger social relations.
• The act of safeguarding cultural heritage not only protects identity but also contributes to collective joy. This could mean backing local craftsmen, traditional festivities, and conserving historical sites.
• On the governance front, diminishing corruption is essential for fostering trust in government institutions. Implementing robust anti-corruption frameworks and enhancing clarity in governance can lay the groundwork for a more equitable community.
• Finally, happiness could be bolstered by giving citizens a comprehensive social security net. Protective measures for those most at risk, like welfare programs, affordable housing options, and jobless benefits are critical components.

In conclusion, achieving happiness is an intricate endeavor—there isn't an all-encompassing fix. A varied strategy that simultaneously targets both economic and cultural dimensions promises the most substantial uplift in Nepal's happiness quotient on the international stage.