Norway is the 'Happiest' Country in the World; Iran Ranks 108th

The first of Farvardin is designated as 'International Day of Happiness'. This designation is due to a resolution passed by the United Nations in 2012, which recognized the 'pursuit of happiness' as one of the 'fundamental goals of humanity'. The aim of this designation is to encourage consideration of happiness as an important element in the sustainable development of human societies in the political and economic planning of various governments around the world. However, the official website of the International Day of Happiness, belonging to the United Nations, goes further by declaring happiness as one of the pillars of 'human rights'. Since 2012, when the first of Farvardin was named International Day of Happiness, a list has been published annually by the United Nations that introduces the 'happiest' and 'saddest' countries in the world based on various factors. This year, Norway has risen three places from last year, surpassing Denmark, Iceland, and Switzerland, and has claimed the top spot on this list. Finland, the Netherlands, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Sweden occupy the fifth to tenth positions in this ranking. Iran, which was ranked 105th last year, has fallen three places back to its position in 2015, now ranking 108th. At the bottom of this list are the Central African Republic, Burundi, Tanzania, Syria, Rwanda, Togo, Guinea, Liberia, South Sudan, and Yemen. Among the world's superpowers, the United States ranks 14th, Germany 16th, the United Kingdom 19th, and Russia 49th. Japan is 51st and China 79th. According to CNN, the happiness levels in different countries are measured based on factors such as life expectancy, generosity, having someone to rely on in times of crisis, freedom of choice in various aspects of life, social trust (measured by the lack of corruption in government and business), and GDP per capita. Despite Norway's main income coming from oil extraction and exports, the report states that the decline in oil prices in global markets has not affected the happiness of the people in this country; rather, Norway has risen three places to now be at the top of the list of the happiest countries in the world. John Helliwell, one of the report's authors and a professor at the University of British Columbia in Canada, believes that Norway is investing in the oil industry to build a better future for the next generation of its citizens. Norway has insulated itself from the economic fluctuations that are common among oil-rich countries: 'Emphasizing the future over the present has increased the mutual trust between the people and the government.' Having a common goal between the people and the government, generosity, and good governance are among the factors observed in Norway and other happy countries. Another area examined in this year's happiness report was workplace happiness. According to Dr. John Emmanuel de Neve, a professor at Oxford University, people often spend a significant portion of their lives at work. Therefore, understanding the role of work and unemployment in shaping individual happiness is important. This year's report states that 'the type of work, job position, and the industry in which a person works are important for individual happiness.' The report indicates that while salary levels affect happiness, money is just one aspect of work. 'The balance between work and personal life, job diversity, and the level of independence in professional decision-making' are other factors that determine workplace happiness.