Who runs the happiest parts of the world? Girls. The World’s Happiness countries for 2023 are Finland, Denmark and Iceland and all have women leaders.
Global (28 March 2023) —The World Happiness Report recently shed light on the world’s happiest countries. Taking the podium in first, second and third place were Finland, Denmark and Iceland respectively. However, The countries share one important thing in common beyond being champions of happiness. They’re all run by women leaders! Cue Beyoncé’s ‘Who Run The World’. Meet them:
Finland held its own in first place, as it has for the last six years. Although the head of state is Sauli Niinistö, the Prime Minister and head of government is Sanna Marin who took office in 2019. Coincidence that the country has been its happiest during the entirety of her reign? We think not!
Up next is Denmark, headed up by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen who took office in 2019. Denmark also came in second place last year, and the year before, and the year before. We think the numbers speak for themselves.
In third place came Iceland, led by Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir who’s been running the show since 2017.
When you put Women in The Driver’s Seat, The Destination is Happiness
2023 isn’t the first year we’ve seen women dominating in the politics of happier countries. Back in 2017, research showed that more women in political positions is “characterized by less corruption” and less gender inequality in the country, resulting in happier populations (for obvious reasons).
In full, the World Happiness Report takes a look at several factors to determine the world’s happiest countries and overall country happiness (a term that’s not as abstract as it may seem). They are:
- GDP per capita
- Social Support
- Healthy Life Expectancy
- Freedom to make Life Choices
- Generosity
- Perception of Corruption
- Dystopia
So, what about South Africa? The good news is, we’re happier than we’ve ever been, against all odds. The actionable news, is that our focus should be on educating more women in the political sciences, raising more female community leaders and inspiring more women to see themselves as the leadership icons they can be.
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