‘Octa Champion’ World Happiness: What explains well-being in Finland

Reasons to be a ‘happy’ country

1. Social well-being and confidence in institutions. The Finns rely heavily on the government, the police, in court and each other. Low corruption rates. Legal certainty and predictability of public policies generate a stability environment. In addition, according to the perception rate of corruption (Transparency International), Finland is second in the overall ranking of countries with less perception of corruption, behind only Denmark.

2. Strong welfare state. High quality public education and health, accessible to all. There is also a robust social protection system: efficient unemployment insurance, maternity/paternity allowance, housing subsidies, and other public policy programs, as well as low social inequality.

3. Connection with nature. Contact with natural environments is part of daily life. Forests, lakes and green spaces are everywhere and are easily accessible to the population. Environmental preservation is a profoundly rooted value in the local culture. Even specific laws ensure the so -called “right of access” to nature, known as Everyman’s Right.