Have you ever wondered what it takes for a country to be considered the happiest in the world? Well, we may have found the answer – and it’s Finland!
Finland has been ranked as the happiest country in the world for several years now, and there are no signs of that changing anytime soon. In this blog post, we will uncover five reasons why Finland has earned this title, and what can you do there if you come and visit.
Get to Know Finland
Finland is a land of forests, lakes and islands. It is a Nordic country located in Northern Europe. Finland is bordered by Sweden to the west, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east. Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is located on the southern coast of the country.
The Finnish people are known for their love of nature and outdoor activities. They are also very friendly and welcoming to visitors. Finnish culture is based on equality and respect for others. This can be seen in their social welfare system, which provides free healthcare and education for all citizens.
Finland has a high standard of living and ranks highly in international measures of happiness and wellbeing. The country has been ranked as the happiest country in the world by the United Nations World Happiness Report since 2018.
Why Finland is the Happiest Country in the World for 2023
So what makes Finland so special? Here are some reasons why Finland is the happiest country in the world:
1. Commitment to equality
Finland has a very strong welfare state that ensures that everyone has access to basic necessities like healthcare and education. There is also a high degree of social mobility, which means that people have the opportunity to move up the socioeconomic ladder if they work hard.
2. Focus on work-life balance
Finns value their free time and leisure activities, and they make sure to take advantage of them. This is in contrast to other countries where workaholic cultures prevail.
3. Strong sense of community
People here are very supportive of one another, and there is a great emphasis on helping others. This creates a feeling of social cohesion and belonging, which are both important for happiness.
4. Good education system
The Finnish education system is consistently ranked as one of the best in the world, and it’s free at all levels. In addition, Finland has some of the most advanced and accessible technology in the world. These factors combine to create a population that is highly educated and technologically savvy.
5. Mental health and happiness
The Finns have a long tradition of taking care of their mental health, with “mental health days” built into the work week and a strong focus on work-life balance. This focus on mental health may be one of the reasons why Finland consistently ranks as one of the happiest countries in the world.
What to do in Finland
Check out our list of free travel guides and itineraries for your trip to Finland:
1. Take beautiful photos of the Northern Lights
The Northern Lights dancing up above is such a powerful and unique natural phenomenon: it changes lives down on earth. Being one of the best places to spot the Auroras, Finnish Lapland is the ideal place to see them!
Northern Lights Photography Tour
2. Explore Helsinki for 5 days
Explore Helsinki’s modernist and contemporary architecture, globally renowned minimalist design, learn about the sauna culture, local food, and Nordic living.
3. Befriend reindeers and other animals
Observe more than 200 different species of Arctic animals, on your exciting day trip to Ranua Wildlife Park. Enjoy a traditional buffet for a lunch and visit the local husky and Reindeer farm, where you can ride in a carriage pulled by your new friends.
Animal Fun Day with Zoo, Husky Farm & Reindeer Farm Visit
4. Go ride a dragonboat
Dragonboat paddling is an interesting way to find secret locations of Helsinki just beside the famous Sibelius park in Helsinki. Paddlers sit in two rows side-by-side and use a single-bladed paddle. One passenger act as a drummer to keep the pace. Tour guide stands in the rear and steers the boat
5. See Finland’s churches
Helsinki has so many churches from different eras where you can meditate, join events and concerts, or just marvel at the architectural styles. From the cathedrals that dominate the skyline to many smaller churches scattered around the city, it is possible to find churches for different denominations of Christianity such as the Lutheran, Orthodox and Catholic churches.
Ready to visit Finland, the happiest country in the world?
We hope you found this article on what to do in Finland helpful so you can plan your trip quickly.
Not sure what to do yet? Easy, just talk to our in-destination experts and travel guides in Finland so they can arrange your trip for you. These guides can assure you that you can be happy in the happiest country in the world, so why wait?
Plan your next dream trip with one of our hand-picked, highly experienced, licensed, and insured Local In-destination Experts!
