10 Countries Where Older People Are Happiest

A common myth suggests that older people are far less happy than those in the bloom of youth. But that is simply not always true.

In fact, in the West, happiness is plunging among young people, particularly in North America, according to the 2024 World Happiness Report. a combined effort of Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, the U.N. Sustainable Development Solutions Network and the World Happiness Report editorial board.

Youth happiness is also falling — albeit less sharply — in Western Europe.

In North America, older people are now happier than younger folks. In Western Europe, the two age groups share roughly similar levels of happiness.

Of the 143 countries included in the latest annual World Happiness Report, here are the ones where happiness is highest among people aged 60 and older. The report’s rankings are based on a three-year average of each population’s assessment of their quality of life.

10. United States

This country’s happiness score:

• Among people ages 60 or older: 7.258 out of 10
• Overall: 6.725 out of 10 (which ranks the county as No. 23)

The United States remains the world’s richest and most powerful nation. Particularly since the end of World War II, the U.S. economy has grown steadily, with the exception of a few downturns.

9. Australia

This country’s happiness score:

• Among people ages 60 or older: 7.304 out of 10
• Overall: 7.057 out of 10 (which ranks the county as 10th)

Australia has become a significant player in the world economy, particularly since the country implemented economic reforms in the 1980s.

Prior to that, the nation ended policies that prevented most non-Whites from immigrating to the nation. That change brought in a wave of Asian immigration and contributed to the economic boom.

8. Canada

This country’s happiness score:

• Among people ages 60 or older: 7.343 out of 10
• Overall: 6.900 out of 10 (which ranks the county as 15th)

Canada obtained its legislative independence from Britain in 1931. Throughout its history, it has grown both economically and technologically in tandem with its neighbor to the south, the United States.

7. Netherlands

This country’s happiness score:

• Among people ages 60 or older: 7.360 out of 10
• Overall: 7.319 out of 10 (which ranks the county as No. 6)

The region that is home to the Netherlands was an economic powerhouse in the 17th century. Today, it remains a modern, industrialized nation.

6. New Zealand

This country’s happiness score:

• Among people ages 60 or older: 7.390 out of 10
• Overall: 7.029 out of 10 (which ranks the county as 11th)

The United Kingdom gave New Zealand status as a separate colony in 1841 and limited self-government in 1852. Today, the economy in the country is vibrant, with agriculture, manufacturing, energy and tourism leading the way.

5. Iceland

This country’s happiness score:

• Among people ages 60 or older: 7.585 out of 10
• Overall: 7.525 out of 10 (which ranks the county as No. 3)

In Iceland, a combination of tourism and a boom in construction power the economy, which has recovered since tumbling during the global financial crisis of 2008.

Literacy, life expectancy and social cohesion in Iceland rank with the top countries in the world.

4. Sweden

This country’s happiness score:

• Among people ages 60 or older: 7.588 out of 10
• Overall: 7.344 out of 10 (which ranks the county as No. 4)

Sweden thrives on a combination of a capitalist economic system married to a widely cast public safety net.

After centuries of neutrality on the world stage, Sweden joined NATO in 2022.

3. Norway

This country’s happiness score:

• Among people ages 60 or older: 7.660 out of 10
• Overall: 7.302 out of 10 (which ranks the county as No. 7)

In the late 1960s, the discovery of oil and gas in the waters off the coast of Norway greatly enhanced the country’s economic standing.

Norway has rejected joining both the European Union and its predecessor, the European Economic Community.

2. Finland

This country’s happiness score:

• Among people ages 60 or older: 7.912 out of 10
• Overall: 7.741 out of 10 (which ranks the county as No. 1)

Finland gained full independence from Russia in 1917. Since then, it has progressed from a farm and forest economy to a modern industrial system that has some of the highest living standards in Western Europe.

1. Denmark

This country’s happiness score:

• Among people ages 60 or older: 7.916 out of 10
• Overall: 7.583 out of 10 (which ranks the county as No. 2)

Denmark is a highly modern nation with a strong economy. In the age of climate change, it has become a leading innovator in terms of environmental regulations.

The country also has managed to boost government spending while maintaining a budget surplus.