Regardless of claiming hundreds of thousands of lives, inflicting financial turmoil and prompting restrictive lockdowns, the pandemic has triggered ‘a surge in benevolence’, based on the newest World Happiness Report.
It means that regardless of the hardships introduced on by Covid, happiness ranges have remained resilient, with altruism growing.
“For a second yr, we see that numerous types of on a regular basis kindness, similar to serving to a stranger, donating to charity, and volunteering are above pre-pandemic ranges,” famous writer, Prof Lara Aknin, director of the Happiness Lab at Simon Fraser College in Vancouver, Canada.
Measuring world happiness is a notoriously difficult enterprise as individuals have completely different definitions of what makes them pleased. Researchers interviewed tens of hundreds of individuals and tried to establish what contributes to life satisfaction. They discovered that social help, wholesome life expectancy, the economic system, freedom to make life selections and freedom from corruption had been the principle drivers of happiness.
This yr’s version as soon as once more ranked Finland the world’s happiest nation, adopted by Denmark and Iceland. It’s the fourth consecutive yr during which the UK has dropped down the desk. It now stands nineteenth.
Picture: Andrea Tummons
