How people live in the "happiest country in the world"

In the annual UN report on the state of happiness in the world, Finland has been leading for seven years in a row. Many Finns are amused by how the former stereotype of monosyllabic, gloomy isolation, echoed in the films of the Kaurismäki brothers Aki and Mika, has changed to one of cheerful optimism. The stereotype has always been an overgeneralization, as stereotypes tend to be.

Tim Bird, who transformed Britain into a Scandinavian country in the 1980s, shares the realities of life in the "Happy Country." The Independent writes about it.

Finland is a large country with plenty of space and natural beauty, making retirement relatively easy if desired.

Apart from long and harsh winters, Finland undeniably offers many advantages. Its northern location means that the long, bright summer days compensate for the short, dark ones.

There are no earthquakes or volcanoes. If you lose your phone or wallet, there is a high likelihood that it will be returned to you. While education standards may not be the best globally, they are still quite good. Most medical services are paid for, but they are affordable, and the quality is high if you're willing to wait. Overall, there is a heightened awareness of and respect for the environment. Public transportation is widespread and generally efficient. Despite high alcohol prices, excessive drinking remains a common habit, although it's not considered a "cool" activity among youth.

Finns attribute to themselves a certain stoicism, an unwavering determination to confront challenges head-on. They have a word for this perceived virtue: sisu. It can apply to simple tasks like clearing snow from a car after a blizzard, as well as larger challenges such as resisting the Soviet invasion during World War II.

If you visit Helsinki, the increasingly cosmopolitan and culturally rich seaside capital, on a warm summer day, and avoid the small provincial towns with their unemployment and hostility toward immigration, you'll quickly see why this may be the happiest place on Earth.

The newly elected president, the multilingual Alexander Stubb, who enjoys engaging with the media, was quick to attribute Finnish happiness to three main pillars: nature, trust, and education. Most Finns, now accustomed to international attention, often react with a giggle or a shrug when recognized. They're hard to impress, but they'll likely be quite pleased if they top the happiness rankings for an eighth consecutive year next year.

Travel Wise wrote about why Finland is the happiest country in the world.