Win with the world’s happiest country

Despite having a 1340km-long border with Russia, Finland has been named the world’s happiest country.

It is the ninth year running that Finland has topped the United Nations’ World Happiness Report.

And the message from Visit Finland, the national promoter, is simple: “Happiness starts with switching off, preferably somewhere by a lake and far away from notifications.”

It is a fitting message, as the 2026 World Happiness Report also highlights growing evidence that social media and constant connectivity can negatively affect wellbeing.

Finland is cited for its close connection to nature and a balanced way of life.

(Having said that, Finland is currently building a 200km “smart fence” to enhance security along its 1340km border with Russia. But it also shares its border with Norway, to the north, and Sweden, to the west, and has a long Baltic Sea coastline.)

Researchers compiled the UN report data on happiness by asking around 100,000 participants from each country to rank where they stand on a scale of 0 to 10.

FINNISHING FIRST

To celebrate the win, Visit Finland is giving travellers the chance to win a seven-day summer stay in Finnish Lakeland, one of Europe’s biggest lake regions.

A Visit Finland spokesperson says: “Experience the Finnish antidote to digital overload through the Chill Like a Finn challenge.

“For Finns, happiness is often built from simple routines that leave space to rest, reset and reconnect with nature.

“The Chill Like a Finn challenge invites international participants to experience this way of life for themselves during a seven-day summer stay in Finland’s Lakeland, a region known for its thousands of lakes, vast forests and peaceful cottage life.

“People around the world are invited to apply and explain why they could benefit from a proper summer reset.

“Selected participants will travel to Finland this summer with a plus one to spend seven days learning how to truly chill like a Finn in the Finnish Lakeland, experiencing everyday rituals often linked to Finnish wellbeing, from sauna culture to long, quiet days by the water.”

The competition closes on March 29, 2026. visitfinland.com/en/chill-like-a-finn

REPORTING ON THE REPORT

Cyberbullying, sextortion and depression. The harms caused by social media to young users are “diverse and vast in scope”, the report found.

They range from “overwhelming evidence of severe and widespread” direct harm such as cyberbullying and sextortion.

And there is “compelling evidence” of indirect harm, such as depression.

This year’s report comes as more and more governments around the world are introducing or considering following Australia’s lead in introducing law to reduce or ban social media use in an effort to protect younger users.