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Luxembourg residents have reason to smile, as a recent study published in March positions them among the world's happiest populations.
The World Happiness Report 2024, released on Wednesday, affirms Luxembourg's status as one of the globe's happiest nations.
Ranking 8th out of 143 countries surveyed, Luxembourg follows closely behind Nordic European countries, Israel, and the Netherlands, and surpasses Switzerland and Australia to secure its spot in the top 10, a ranking that has seen minimal change over the past few years.
With regard to Israel, the authors point out that the study is based on an average over the last three years. The attack on 7 October and the war between Israel and Hamas have therefore had only a limited effect on the rankings.
The Top Ten
- Finland
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Sweden
- Israel
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Luxembourg
- Switzerland
- Australia
Belgium ranks 16th, outperforming its Greater Region counterparts, with Germany at 24th and France at 27th. Portugal, however, lags behind at 55th place.
But what are Luxembourg residents so happy about?
Luxembourg's continued high rankings, including 6th place in 2022 and 9th in 2023, reflect several key factors that contribute to its residents' contentment.
One notable aspect is Luxembourg's high purchasing power, which contributes to the well-being of its inhabitants. Despite potential shortcomings regarding residents' social life, Luxembourg also boasts a high life expectancy in good health, further bolstering its appeal.
According to the World Happiness Report, Luxembourg residents also consider themselves free to make their own life choices, a factor closely associated with overall happiness. Finally, the generosity of residents and the perceived absence of corruption are also highly rated.
