Experiencing happiness in diverse ways

Observer

08-04-2025

Can we truly say that we are happy with our current circumstances? Why is it that, despite many aspects of our lives being positive, a single issue can still lead to unhappiness? Furthermore, what accounts for the differences in happiness levels among people from various countries?
Happy individuals and families come in various forms, just as nations can experience happiness in diverse ways. Past experiences demonstrate that happy people actively engage in their communities and assist others, making them vital contributors to thriving societies and, consequently, shaping a nation's overall happiness.
Significantly, life satisfaction and happiness are now central research areas in the social sciences. One notable effort in this regard is the World Happiness Report, which has become an indispensable resource for addressing the growing global interest in prioritising happiness.
Researchers of the report indicate that, in addition to health and wealth, several factors that influence happiness may seem deceptively simple: sharing meals with others, having someone to rely on for social support, and the size of one's household.
'Happiness isn't just about wealth or growth; it encompasses trust, connection and the assurance that others support you. To foster stronger communities and economies, we must invest in what truly matters,' says Jon Clifton, CEO of Gallup, the primary source for the annual happiness rankings of countries worldwide.
The World Happiness Report is a collaboration between Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and the Editorial Board of the World Happiness Report.
Each World Happiness Report typically highlights a specific theme and includes chapters authored by various experts who analyse different facets of global well-being and happiness associated with that theme. Several examples are provided.
In Chapter 3 of the report, we find that dining alone is detrimental to one's well-being. The report states, 'People who frequently eat with others are significantly happier, and this effect remains even when considering household size.'
The rising number of individuals who dine alone is a contributing factor to the declining well-being in the United States, which has dropped to 24th place in the report - its lowest ranking ever.
In the United States, approximately 25 per cent people reported eating all their meals alone the previous day in 2023, marking a 53-per cent increase in solitary dining since 2003.
Similarly, household size is closely associated with happiness. In Mexico and Europe, households consisting of four to five individuals report the highest levels of happiness; however, many people in Europe live alone.
For most people around the world, family serves as a source of joy and support. The report highlights in Chapter 4 that living alone often experience lower levels of happiness. Conversely, those in very large households may also report decreased happiness, likely due to reduced economic satisfaction.
'Public policies should consider how economic decisions may have secondary effects on relationships, thereby impacting the well-being of families,' it suggests.
At the same time, the report reveals that the antithesis of happiness is despair, which can lead to death by suicide or substance abuse. Fortunately, the incidence of such deaths is declining in the majority of countries, although this trend is not observed in the United States or the Republic of Korea.
Nordic countries consistently rank among the top ten happiest nations, with Denmark, Iceland and Sweden following Finland, which maintains its unbroken streak as the world's happiest country. Their high happiness rankings are generally attributed to their extensive social welfare programmes, strong community connections and robust interactions with nature.
In the Gulf region, the UAE has secured 21st place globally, while Kuwait ranks 30th worldwide and second in the Arab world. Saudi Arabia follows at 32nd globally and third in the Arab world. Oman holds the 52nd position globally and is fourth among Arab countries, while Bahrain is ranked 59th globally and fifth among Arab nations.