Why Finland Beats Germany in Happiness Rankings: Key Factors

Mary Kisto, an actor who grew up in Finland and has lived in Berlin for over 20 years, embarks on a journey to understand why Finland consistently ranks as the happiest country in the World Happiness Report, while Germany lags behind. Despite Finland's challenges like high alcohol consumption, a higher suicide rate than Germany, harsh climate, and a long border with Russia, its citizens report high levels of life satisfaction.

The Finnish Mindset: Sisu

A key concept in understanding Finnish resilience is "sisu," which translates to perseverance, tenacity, and the ability to make the best of things. This mindset helps Finns cope with difficult conditions, such as long, cold winters. While Finns also have a self-deprecating humor, exemplified by the term "underwear drinking" (getting drunk alone at home in one's long johns), this doesn't negate the issues of high alcohol consumption.

Understanding the World Happiness Report

To delve deeper, Kisto consults Frank Matella, a philosopher and happiness researcher at Alto University who worked on the World Happiness Report.

Methodology

The report is based on a survey conducted in 140 to 150 countries. Participants rate their life satisfaction on a scale of 0 (worst possible life) to 10 (best possible life). The average score for each country determines its ranking.

Rankings

Finland has ranked first for eight consecutive years with a score of 7.7, followed closely by other Scandinavian countries like Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden. Afghanistan is the unhappiest country. Germany ranks 22nd with an average score of 6.7, and the situation is particularly concerning for young Germans.

Key Factors for Finnish Happiness

Finland excels in three main areas: * Trust: High levels of trust among people, in institutions, and in society. * Low Corruption: Finland has the second-lowest level of corruption globally, after Denmark. * Well-functioning Society: The government creates conditions that support its citizens, fostering a sense of care and well-being.

Matella also notes the importance of rituals, like saunas for Finns, which provide moments to escape external pressures and be present.

Reliability and Utility of the Report

Timon Renz, an economist and social scientist at the University of Fryberg, confirms the World Happiness Report's high reliability within social sciences. It systematically and transparently surveys life satisfaction globally since 2012, with results aligning with other surveys. The report's mission, supported by the UN, is to identify conditions necessary for people to lead happy and fulfilling lives.

Germany vs. Finland

While Germany has a higher per capita GDP, it lags behind Finland in equal opportunities, trust in government and society, and has a wider gap between rich and poor. Germans also report higher levels of negative emotions.

Finnish Perspectives on Happiness

Kisto visits the Riscala family in Espoo, who highlight several factors contributing to Finnish happiness:

• Equality: Everyone, regardless of socioeconomic background, has the freedom to make their own decisions.
• Freedom: The ability to shape one's own life.
• Safety and Trust: A strong sense of security and trust in society and the government.
• Childcare: Finnish parents have easy access to childcare from age one, and receive a "starter kit" for newborns, fostering pride and support.
• Nature: The right of public access allows people to enjoy nature freely, which is a significant source of happiness for 97% of Finns.

The Finnish Education System

Anna Hivan, principal of Millipuro Comprehensive School in Helsinki, explains the Finnish education system's role in happiness:

• Equality: All children attend the same school for nine years, ensuring equal opportunities and a standard free basic education for everyone. This fosters national unity.
• Trust: High levels of trust in schools.
• Multi-professional Teams: Teachers collaborate with special education teachers and school psychologists to provide individualized support for academic and mental health challenges.
• Free School Lunches: All students receive free school lunches.

Samuel Glyfe, an educational researcher for PISA Germany, confirms the Finnish system's excellence, particularly its individualized support without stigma. He notes that Germany could learn from this approach, as Finnish students consistently rank high in educational studies, similar to their happiness ranking.

Nature as a Source of Happiness

Finland's abundant nature, with 70% forest coverage and 188,000 lakes, plays a crucial role. Many Finns own a "muki" (cottage) for family and friends. Liisa Turvine, a professor at the Natural Resources Institute, explains the scientific link between nature and well-being:

• Mental Health: Regular time in nature reduces the risk of mental health issues, depression, high blood pressure, and respiratory diseases.
• Identity: Nature is deeply intertwined with Finnish identity and sense of well-being.

Karaoke: An Outlet for Emotions

Finland has the most karaoke bars per capita. For Finns, who tend to be reserved about expressing feelings, karaoke offers an outlet to share emotions without words.

German Youth and Unhappiness

Back in Germany, Kisto investigates why young people are less happy, ranking 47th globally. Molina Wulski, leading a mental health workshop at Alres Fon School in Kitsburg, highlights:

• Stressors: School stress, parental conflict, bullying, and discrimination contribute to unhappiness.
• Open Dialogue: Workshops provide a safe space for students to discuss taboo topics like suicide and self-harm without judgment or grading.
• Social Media: Excessive social media use (over 3 hours daily) is linked to a 20% increase in depressive symptoms like lack of motivation and insomnia.

Julian Schmidz, a psychologist, notes a worrying trend: the U-shaped curve of happiness (high in youth, declining in midlife, rising in old age) is flattening for young people. Diagnosed depression among adolescents has risen by 30% in six years. Germany's school support services are inadequate, with one school psychologist per 5,000 students, compared to five times that ratio in some Scandinavian countries.

The Science of Happiness

Neuroscientist Mishaella Brambadri at the University of Trier explains the biochemical basis of happiness:

• Neurotransmitters: Serotonin (well-being, rest, libido, memory), oxytocin (closeness, trust), dopamine (motivation, reward), and endorphins (pain relief, euphoria).
• Eudaimonia: A long-term sense of contentment and well-being, coined by Aristotle, referring to a balanced life.
• Brain Activity: Happiness is reflected in alpha waves in the right prefrontal cortex. This can be trained through positive thoughts and memories, leading to neuroplastic changes.

Cultivating Happiness

Brambadri emphasizes that happiness can be cultivated through:

• Flow: Engaging deeply in activities one enjoys and excels at.
• Connection: Being in tune with people, learning, hobbies, and the world.
• Simple Actions: Exercise, social interaction, laughter, and helping others.

Happiness in Germany: The Example of Waldkirch

Kisto visits Waldkirch, one of Germany's happiest regions, where residents rate their life satisfaction at 8 out of 10. Timon Renz, co-publisher of the German Happiness Atlas, identifies key factors:

• Prosperity: A certain level is necessary.
• Social Connection: Strong community and fulfilling family and work lives.
• Self-satisfaction: Treating oneself well and forgiving mistakes.
• Optimistic Outlook: A positive perspective on life.

Sociologist Don Daly's "have, love, be" formula summarizes these needs: material things, social connections, and fulfilling work/hobbies/health. Waldkirch benefits from a strong community, low mobility, short commutes, and access to nature and urban amenities. The Karn family, active in numerous local clubs, exemplifies the strong community spirit.

Money and Genes

Matt Killingsworth, a US researcher, finds that in the US, more money generally correlates with more happiness, with no clear upper limit. However, he notes that wealth is not the sole determinant; social factors, trust, relationships, and societal stability are also crucial.

Micah Bartles, a professor in Amsterdam, discusses the role of genetics in happiness:

• Genetic Component: Happiness has a genetic component, with twin studies suggesting that 40% of happiness differences are genetic.
• Trainability: Despite genetic predispositions, happiness is trainable. Individuals can improve their well-being through practices like exercise, social interaction, gratitude journaling, and acts of kindness.
• No "Happiness Gene": There are no specific "happiness genes" for particular populations like Finns; happiness is influenced by many tiny genetic pieces.

Conclusion

Finland's consistent top ranking in happiness stems from a combination of factors: a resilient mindset ("sisu"), high trust in society and institutions, a strong social safety net, an equitable education system, and a deep connection to nature. While Germany faces challenges, particularly concerning youth well-being, lessons can be learned from Finland. Happiness is not the absence of problems but the ability to deal with them, fostered by community, support, and a positive mindset.