Finns feel a deep connection to nature and spend much of their lives outdoors. For the eighth year in a row, Finland has been named the world’s happiest country, topping the 2025 World Happiness Report . Once again, the Nordic nations dominated the rankings, with Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden following closely behind.
Meanwhile, the United States dropped to its lowest-ever position (24th), continuing a steady decline from its peak at 11th place just over a decade ago. Researchers point to rising social isolation, political polarization, and a growing sense of disconnection as key reasons behind America’s fall down the happiness ladder. So, what exactly makes Finland and its Nordic neighbours so consistently content—and what can the rest of us learn from them? Some expats living in the Nordic region have argued that ‘contentment’ is a better word than happiness for what this report measures—a steady, deep sense of satisfaction with one’s life than fleeting joy.
But either way, isn’t that exactly what most of us are really after? However you define it, happiness in the Nordic countries isn’t just about wealth or economic success. It’s rooted in something deeper: trust, connection, and a shared belief that people—and society—have your back. You don’t need to pack up and move to Finland (although, here’s how you can ) or even visit the Nordic region to learn a few of their secrets.
These five simple but powerful life lessons inspired by Finnish and Nord.
