World's happiest countries 2019: Finland comes top ahead of Nordic neighbours

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Nordic nation topped the 2019 World Happiness Report, which ranked 156 countries around the world on factors including life expectancy, freedom, GDP and corruption. Finland’s Nordic neighbours Denmark, Norway and Iceland weren’t far behind, taking second, third and fourth place respectively. “How communities interact with each other whether in schools, workplaces, neighbourhoods or on social media has profound effects on world happiness.” The ranking comes as Finland launches a “rent a Finn” tourism initiative, which encourages tourists to travel to the country to meet eight Finns who will act as “happiness guides”. 10 happiest countries in the world Finland Denmark Norway Iceland Netherlands Switzerland Sweden New Zealand Canada Austria 10 least happy countries