Philippines Ranks as 2nd Happiest Country in Southeast Asia, According to 2024 World Happiness Report

The Philippines has been named the second happiest country in Southeast Asia, according to the 2024 World Happiness Report released by the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Center.

The country climbed 23 spots from last year to rank 53rd out of 143 countries surveyed, marking a significant improvement in the happiness and well-being of Filipinos.

Singapore Tops the Region, Philippines Follows Closely Behind

In the Southeast Asian region, Singapore claimed the top spot, ranking 30th overall in the global happiness index. The Philippines followed closely behind, securing the second position in the region and 53rd worldwide.

Other Southeast Asian countries in the happiness rankings include:

• Vietnam (54th)
• Thailand (58th)
• Malaysia (59th)
• Indonesia (80th)
• Laos (94th)
• Myanmar (118th)
• Cambodia (119th)

Factors Contributing to the Philippines’ Improved Happiness Score

The World Happiness Report takes into account several key factors when determining a country’s happiness score, including GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and perceptions of corruption.

According to World Happiness Report Editor Shun Wang, the Philippines’ increased happiness can be partially attributed to improvements in GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, and freedom to make life choices over the past few years.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Head of Trading Helen G. Oleta also noted that the Filipino people’s resilience and ability to thrive in challenging circumstances contribute to their overall happiness.

She added that Filipinos, particularly the younger generation, have learned to better manage work-life balance and enjoy life more in recent years.

Generational Differences in Happiness Levels

For the first time, the 2024 World Happiness Report provided separate rankings by age group, revealing significant differences in happiness levels across generations.

In the Philippines, younger people under 30 years old reported higher life satisfaction compared to older age groups. The country ranked as the 70th happiest nation for those under 30, with an average life evaluation score of 6.305, which is above the overall national score of 6.048.

On the other hand, Filipinos aged 60 and above ranked 43rd in their age group, with an average life evaluation score of 5.976, slightly lower than the national average.

This trend of younger people reporting higher happiness levels compared to older adults is observed globally, although the gap is narrowing in Europe and has recently reversed in North America.

Global Happiness Rankings and Trends

Finland topped the global happiness rankings for the seventh consecutive year, followed by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and Israel in the top five positions.

Notable changes in the 2024 rankings include the United States falling out of the top 20 for the first time, largely due to a significant drop in the well-being of Americans under 30. Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the list as the world’s least happy nation.

The report also highlights that global happiness inequality has increased by more than 20% over the past 12 years across all regions and age groups.

The Importance of the World Happiness Report

The annual World Happiness Report, first published in 2012, has become a crucial tool for policymakers, researchers, and the general public to understand and compare the well-being of people across the globe.

The report’s findings are based on data from the Gallup World Poll and analyzed by leading experts in the fields of economics, psychology, and behavioral sciences.

As the Philippines continues to improve its ranking in the World Happiness Report, it is essential for the government and society to prioritize the factors that contribute to the population’s happiness and well-being, such as economic growth, health, social support, and personal freedoms.

By focusing on these areas, the country can work towards creating a more content and prosperous nation for all its citizens, regardless of age.

The Philippines’ impressive improvement in the 2024 World Happiness Report, climbing 23 spots to become the second happiest country in Southeast Asia and 53rd globally, is a testament to the resilience and positive spirit of the Filipino people.

As the country continues to navigate challenges and strive for progress, it is crucial to prioritize the well-being and happiness of its citizens across all generations.

By understanding the factors that contribute to happiness and taking steps to foster a supportive and inclusive society, the Philippines can continue to rise in the global happiness rankings and build a brighter future for all.