Is Finland Really The Happiest Country In The World? 

VICE News visited Helsinki to find out if the Finns are actually happier than the rest of the world, and if so, why. WATCH NEXT: Finland Is Giving Citizens $660 A Month For Free As An Experiment - bit.ly/2TYeBA5

Finland is low key pissed off about being called happy

That guy going "ehhh" after being asked "are you happy" is my spirit animal.

UN: "Finland is the happiest place on Earth." The Finnish: "What?"

Seeking happiness makes people unhappier, that's why being grateful for what you have is better Imo.

Finland is number 1 on not having things to really whine about.

I can tell you as a Finnish person, I often think most people here can be melancholy about things, during the winter it can be really cold and restrictive at times but coming home drinking hot coffee and watching Ed Edd n Eddy after a long day of work can put a smile on my face. But seriously, I still don’t know where this nonsense about Finland being the happiest plus on Earth came from. In fact visiting Holland, I thought they were a happy bunch of people they always seem know how to have fun.

As an expat Aussie living in Finland for the past 2.5years I would totally agree with what you said. Finland is a content country not a smiley, giddy, happy one. In general people here are content with what they have, that is a part of their culture. Not to be greedy, not to be a show off, to earn what you own & be satisfied with what you have. I love living here even though I miss the sunny Queensland beaches every single day. I would say I’m “content”. #lovefinland

I had the chance to spend one semester studying in Finland (my most favorite country in the world) and I understand why it’s considered one of the happiest countries in the world. Finns are polite, educated, quite respectful. The Finnish government seems to do its work quite well. I felt very safe and welcomed there. Just like the Finns, I appreciate personal space and times alone. So, it was a match! That’s why Suomi will always rank number 1 in my heart 💙🇫🇮

I'm Canadian, and I'm often feeling pressured to act more positive and cheerful than I really am... while second-guessing the fronts other people put up to do the same. I don't see myself moving to Finland (I need sunlight) but I long for a culture where people aren't socially obligated to act cheerful

I would say that finns aren't any more serious than people from other countries , we just dont like to smile if we dont feel like it or somebody didnt tell a funny joke. Honestly, to me it just seems that here are no fake smiles but once you get to know people they're probably gonna throw jokes and smile when they feel like it and when they have fun.

I think their's a difference between "Satisfaction" and "Happiness".

Finns are happy, happy being alone😄

As a person from the other “happiest” country in the world (Paraguay), I would give up in a heartbeat all the positivity for a free healthcare, no corruption, excellent public education, etc. That makes you happy; not to be laughing in misery all day.

1. "Journalist" consults expert on happiness. 2. Said expert distinguishes between different senses of happiness. 3. "Journalist" fails to learn anything and at the very end posits that everyone else misunderstands what happiness is. Weak journalism.

That's a good point from the "happiness doctor" about how happiness is actually defined in the research. Happiness seems to be interpreted differently by different cultures which makes it confusing. For some happiness is contentment and living without fear. For some it is smiles and joy. I personally believe that contentment is a more accurate description of happiness, because joyfulnes doesn't sound like a state that can exist long term if you're living in an opressed, corrupted or a 'not-so-well-being' country. People can be all smiles and joy for the tourists in some south-american country, but does that really reflect the 'happiness' the researches are looking for. These 'joyful and happy' people on the surface might fear for their life walking the street everyday or cry themselves to sleep each night. That's why I believe researches put so much weight on contentment and general well-being when measuring happiness. And in that (contentment and well-being) Finns are definitely at the top.

I've never met someone from Finland until recently when was I traveling in South America and met two. It's a small sample but they were pretty fun and happy people :)

Think that one dude starred in A Clockwork Orange. Not sure tho lmk

Im from Finland🇫🇮 I love my country⭐️

As somebody who is from Northern Finland, i can say it varies inside Finland, my family is from Oulu in Northern Ostrobothnia which is one of the regions with the highest unemployment, i can sense people are somewhat less happy up in the North compared to the south, and it's not due to the climate.

I'd say just being content isn't descriptive of us. We are happy, we just don't like showing it to others. The most distinctive behavioral trait of a Finn is that they don't show emotion, but that doesn't mean we don't feel those emotions. Maybe it's because we don't want to seem above others. But if you somehow tear down these emotional barriers, or if you see two finnish friends that have known eachother long enough to open up and talk about their emotions, you'd see that there is true happiness. In fact I'd argue that the overexaggerated, externally very bright stereotypical American happiness is further from "true happiness".

3:30 he’s very smart. That’s exactly right

I also find that in Finland people tend to base a lot of stuff based off of Trust. Where while I can't find an accurate way to measure it I have found that the Fins I have interacted with tend to base a lot of their relationships on Trust.

Happiness is a terrible definition for a development index. Good job VICE

I’m an introvert and i’ve always loved “depressing” weather so i want to live there.

It always seems weird to me how they try to quantify unquantifiable concepts by measuring quantifiable things that we regard as good and assume that those things translate directly to more happiness.

Almost a paradise for an introvert like me when she said that at 1:14

I think there is a misunderstanding about what happiness means: happiness is not a feeling, it is an ability to move through life unfazed by whatever happens to you, and to feel that you are winning. It is to feel that you have purpose and meaning, clarity and community. I think the Finns have something called Sisu that really embodies this kind of resolve to continue living, and to endure through any hardship. They also have wonderful public pools and saunas to help through the harsh winter months. I used to think that people would just be happier if they had more sunshine, but then I realized that, in addition to sunshine at some points, they also sometimes need to see rain and gray skies to feel balanced. A balanced life involves contrast. I have spent limited time in Finland, and I am learning Finnish (quite the challenge). I admire Finns a lot, and the more I learn about how brave-hearted and chaotic they really are under their introverted exterior (read about how they defeated the Russian army during World War II), the more I have come to love them.

Love Finn's & the country, most are honest, down to earth and low key.

a small advice When you go to cold places. Wear weather fitting clothes. Then its not cold an depressing anymore

I know the secret sauce: no small talk

I think fins should be happy because they gave us Nokia 3310

It's like an introvert's paradise

I find it problematic as a Finn that these type of videos are always made when its the most dark, grey and cold seasons portraying us in a well, scewed light. Finland is a beautiful country especially during the spring/summer/autumn and i feel we do deserve a quite high ranking on that list although maybe not number 1.

Being content is a good thing. It's okay to not smile all the time, as long as you feel fine inside. Some people who laugh and smile, it looks like they are happy, but deep down inside they are crying. It's not uncommon for some depressed people to hide behind a smiling face.

As a quiet introvert who loves nature, cloudy days, and winter, Finland sounds pretty cool to me.

Do you know what we Finns do when we hear this statement? We laugh.

We don't show off, but we have HUGE things like pure nature, safety, great education, free healthcare, financial security, no corruption, homes for everyone, clean enviroment, and stability. We are also a highly sivilized and western country,very far from former soviet countries (Unlike the common image) We live in such a great country that THAT is what we are happy about and what the statistics are showing. If they were looking for bubbly personalities, then it would change the game :D But it's not what they are studying.

Bruh happiness doesn't mean always smiling

As a Finn, I see a lot of happiness around. World's safest food, good free health care, good salaries, no worries to walk anywhere and yes, we do laugh and are polite to each others. Winter is cold but I rarely hear anybody complaining about it. Worst part is that there isn't much daylight. Of course there is those who says "winter in depressing but we get by" and "There's nothing to complain but we sure are not happy" but I personally see more a lot more joy and real happiness around than that videoclip shows. Especially in Helsinki when I lived there. It really is a polite city and covered with amazing, happy people!

Finland always tops the list on positive things. Best education system and happiest country in the world. I think both these are connected strongly. You guys are gifted.

Love from 🇨🇦 to 🇫🇮

Five years later still number 1

i would like to move to Finland in a couple of years

Why do people focus on the weather? Fucking hell we have so many good things in Finland 😅

I used to wish I lived in Finland as a kid,all that snow.

they are not happy they just do not complain big difference

The tone Vice took from the start didn't really surprise me. Playing on shrill stereotypes, no way can Finns be happy! Thankfully there was a more knowledgeable person at the end explaining that happiness means different things to people. As a Finn it's nice to get away from time to time and not talk to people. I feel very happy but I'm not going to dance down the street any time soon. That's not how we get down. Finns are very content people. Life's good. It's doesn't mean that I'll dance for joy every day. Feeling content is a more lasting and impact feeling than happiness which can be fleeting.

So the male version of Mary poopins is the speaker or the voice for all fins

They have to worry about the weather but others are worried about retiring, feeding their families, or staying alive. You are missing the point. Happy people will never realize it because happiness is overrated.

I have a hard time seeing anywhere that snows half the year as a happy place.

I have seen and met thousands of Finnish tourists in Cyprus in more than 15 years. I can tell you this. a vast majority are really nice cool people, they are not greedy, well educated, serious where they have to be.

It's 2021 still the country is on top

The only happiest place i know on earth is your heart. Once you're happy there, you can be happy anywhere.

The weather is so dull and boring 6 month hard winter I can't be happy in these long winter🙏

I think it's more about the confusing definition of happiness, because we have separate words for different kinds of happiness(es). For example: "iloinen" means feeling particularly good at the moment smiling and it's more used to describe short term strong happy feeling. "Onnellinen" in otherhand is used to describe long term satisfaction and feeling lucky to live life at it's overall state, that word is never used to describe that jumpy happy feeling. So the explanation about the weirdness might just be that these words and few others just translates bluntly to "happy".

I mean, everyone feels that its greener on the other side.

The whole vibes about this video already made me happy! I mean the word happy maybe they refer to Finland people’s mindset not the the country make them happy❤️

00:14 giant seagull in sight.

You can find happiness anywhere just get good weed lol

Perhaps the way to happiness is not to expect to be happy nor pursue happiness for happiness sake

I could live there looks like my city in the winter Because I’m in Canada

Random Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät koncert is going on at 4:10. That made evening happier for sure.

It seems like the reporter speaking in the end didn't quite understood what the guy he interviewed said about happiness Edit: maybe it was just "for the sake" of this video

Is it just me or does the reporter sounds exactly like Seth rogan?

Dude reminded me of a leprechaun 😂

It's good here. You found the typical old, angry people.

Such a beautiful country. I want to live in Finland.

In English, the word "happy" means both passive contentment and satisfaction as well as active joy and jubilation. From a Finnish perspective, these are two entirely different things, so our language has no single word to cover both connotations. The translation that was used in the study was a word that only carries the connotations of passive contentment and satisfaction. Furthermore, as non-native English speakers, we have a poor understanding of English-language connotations, and often think "happy" only means active joy and jubilation. And that's how you end up with this mismatch of a happy people staunchly denying their own happiness.

I think that Finland is the best country in the world and I'm Finnish.

You dont have to always put a fake smile to b considered happy . Finns are happy because they are free, and have beautiful nature and a blooming economy and least amount of corruption.

You are confusing reserved temperament with unhappiness. When I went to the United States in 1995 from Lithuania, everybody thought I was unhappy because I wasn't smiling constantly like an idiot. I was perfectly OK. It's just that in our culture you needed some reason to smile.

Rainy gray and darkness are peaceful to me lol Id thrive there.

Bruh it's 40 degrees outside in my state and it feels like summer and I'm happy about that🤨

How?? Im from Finland most of finns people i know are depressed about everything.

Finland is honestly pretty depressing. I am a Finn and I am struggling to have the energy to do daily tasks because of the dark and cold weather, and because of the quiet introverted people.

Finland appears to be the country that truly cares for its citizens. No matter how bad of a situation you're in, the Finnish societal structure will give you more chances to redeem yourself and rebuild your life than in any other country. I assume that alone is enough to make people happy. Also as someone that likes being alone, Finnish society sounds like a dream.

Im from MEXICO AND IM VERY HAPPY WITH WHO I AM. Every day I smile, and when I smile I’m happy!!! I personally think Mexicans are one of the happiest people, because we are so lively! Even when we’re not exactly happy there is someone there to cheer us up and make a joke!!!

Yes, Finland is definitely the happiest country. I thought of moving to finland because I was so much depressed and suicidal where I live and I'm from zambia. I'm now just a happy person again.

Finland is one of the richest and most welfare having state. Financial stability does not equal happiness. But it offers the strongest tool to search for happiness------peace of mind. You know tomorrow is gonna be fine, it's the most powerful privilege a person can have and often overlook until you lose it.

I think Finnish people aren't necessarily the "Happiest" people in the world, it's just they don't really feel like they've very much to complain about.

If happiness means that you can walk the streets safely. If you can rely on your food, air and environment being clean. If you know that most around you are honest and trustworthy people who would return your lost wallet to you WITH the cash inside of it. If you can open a newspaper without seeing local news of murders and rapes every day. If you can rest at ease knowing that you can get medical help at any time for almost free. If you can be proud of the president that runs your country. If you can feel equal as a female citizen. If you can meet a fellow Finn and know that when they do smile, that it's 100% genuine and that they are not being fake... then yes - Finns are happy.

Happiness isn’t about joy. It comes from security and possibilities. Now that we’re in the midst of Covid I’ve noticed that all of my friends who have moved to other countries over the years are moving back. It comes down to security. Finland will take care of you. Even if you lose your job, your house and your dignity. That’s why we’re happy.

Happy doesnt mean smiling till your ear tips and faking it to the camera, vice. Happy means freedom as well and honesty and even melancholy can be happy

No fake smiling in finland. might seem unfriendly Place at first, but you'll get "it" when you've been here for a while.

North Korea should be on top 1 cuz I always find them smiling,happy chanting their leader's name

As a person who loves dark, cloudy, cold weather, "depressing" weather as some people say, this is my dream. I find it peaceful.

Maybe they're confusing happiness with wealth and quality of living

I'm an introvert I would love to live here

When that Finnish woman said they're "quiet, quite serious and likes to spend time alone", I just wanted to be there in an instant or at least live in a very same place. It's hard to live in a country where introverts have less chances and opportunities.

I know Finland quiet well, having worked there many times in the theatre.If this survey had being on " The most genuine people in the world" the Finns would have won hands down. They are a very unpretentious people and very introspective. If you become friends with a Finn, then, ( in my opinion) you have a true friend. gd. Yorkshire, England.

I visited Finland during a Baltic cruise. We went into Stockmann department store in Helsinki and other customers helped us find what we were looking for (cloudberry jam). We looked confused and they stopped their own shopping, asked if they could help, and brought us to where we needed to go. So kind. My impression of the Finnish people was very positive. Good folk.

Why don't people understand that happiness is in fact largely related to satisfaction.... loved this.

The guy with the hat who appears in the end has a valid point. Members of a happy society wouldn’t have to aggressively promote their happiness with flamboyant behaviour, therefore at first glance you may think Finnish people are not happy at all.

Finnish summer is coming and everyone's gonna have a good time and lots of beer.

I'm always happy when I visit Finland. The way of life there is so much better than the UK. Finns have their priorities in order and focus on living well and appreciating what's around them.

The whole Scandinavian region is introverted. True content or happiness comes when you are alone with yourself. That's why they are termed happy.

1) Finns are melancholy by nature. Plus usually way too modest. There is a fear, about making other people jealous. It is considered bad taste to flaunt your success. So if you ask someone "Are you happy" they most likely freeze and think for a while. 2) We tend to focus on bad side of things, way too much. Always room to improve, I guess.

“We are quite quiet. We are quite serious, we like to spend time alone.” It’s a country full of me’s!! Definitely going to visit soon.

The finnish happiness researcher looks like he plays keyboard in a symphonic metal band on weekends