Visit 3 of the Happiest Countries on Earth with ACIS

Having trouble deciding where you go for your next ACIS trip? Well one unique aspect to consider is the country’s happiness rating. A ranking system that measures the subjective well-being and life satisfaction of the people in a given country, happiness ratings essentially measure how happy someone is living in said country. One way this is studied is based on the results of surveys asking to rate various aspects of the respondent’s life, including income, how physically healthy they are, freedom to make choices, social support, the generosity of others around them, and the trust they have in their government.

This post details the highest rated counties in the world that are offered by ACIS and why they were given their ranking. All rankings were taken from the 2024 edition of World Population Review.

Denmark

Located in Northern Europe, Denmark consists of the Jutland Peninsula, more than 400 islands, a large archipelago, and two autonomous constituent countries, Greenland and the Faroe islands, all with Copenhagen as the capital. It has a population of around 6 million people with nearly 90% of people coming from Danish descent. The remaining 10% are immigrants or the descendants of recent immigrants, most of whom came from Turkey, Somalia, Iraq, South Asia, the Middle East, Bosnia, and Herzegovina. It’s often ranked as one of the world’s happiest countries due to its low income inequality, universal healthcare, free higher education, and generous unemployment benefits. In 2021, Denmark’s crime rate per 100k people was 0.8, a 15% decline from the crime rate in 2020. Denmark is also a leader in renewable energy, especially wind power. The country aims to be carbon-neutral by 2050. The World Population Review has given Denmark a rating of 7.58 for overall happiness. For comparison, the highest rated country in the world was Finland with a rating of 7.74.

Want to experience what Denmark has to offer? Check out our Northern Lights and Scandinavian Adventure trips to see the happy lifestyle of the population!

Switzerland

Switzerland is located in Central Europe, landlocked and bordered by France, Germany, Italy, Austria, and Liechtenstein. It is known for the Alps and breathtaking landscapes from mountains to crystal lakes. It has a population of around 9 million people with the four main languages spoken including Swiss German, French, Italian, and Romansch. Its high happiness ranking can be attributed to many factors such as the fact that citizens are able to regularly vote on actual laws and rules that affect their daily lives, which leaves very little room for corruption in the government. It is also one of the wealthiest nations per capita, with key industries in banking, finance, pharmaceuticals, precision engineering, luxury goods, and tourism all located in Switzerland. Although many things in Switzerland are expensive, it has high wages paid by one of the most stable currencies, the Swiss franc. Switzerland also has one of the highest life expectancies in the world at 84 years. Switzerland has also the oldest policy of military neutrality in the world as it has not participated in a foreign war since its neutrality was established by the Treaty of Paris in 1815. The World Population Review has given Switzerland a happiness rating of 7.06.

ACIS actually offers many opportunities to visit Switzerland which you can view here.

Australia

Australia is a continent-country in the Southern Hemisphere, surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Major cities include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. It has a population of around 26 million with two out of every seven Australians being immigrants. With a diverse population, the culture in Australia is very inclusive. Australia is known for its unique wildlife like kangaroos and koalas, with natural wonders such as the Great Barrier Reef, and the Outback. Australia is a very wealthy nation thanks to its abundance of natural resources such as coal, iron ore, and lithium. It is also very strong in agriculture and finance which supports its strong economy. Public education is well-funded along with high-quality universities attracting students globally. The people in Australia are also known for having an easygoing and friendly nature, treating visitors with great hospitality. Australia also has a strong sporting culture and is known for its active outdoor lifestyle with many people enjoying surfing, beach sports, and hiking. The World Population Review has given Australia a happiness rating 7.06, exactly the same as Switzerland.

If you’ve been convinced that the trip for you is to Australia, you can check out Australian Animals and Adventure, and Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef offered by ACIS!