Canada has secured the position of the second happiest country among the G7 nations, according to the 2024 World Happiness Report (WHR). The report, crafted collaboratively by Gallup, the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and the WHR’s Editorial Board, evaluates the happiness of individuals across more than 140 countries, considering various life stages and generational groups.
Life evaluations, based on responses to the Gallup World Poll, form the basis of the report’s assessments. Respondents rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale from 0 to 10.
The report categorizes each country’s population into four groups based on age:
- The Young: Under 30 years old
- Lower Middle: 30 – 44 years old
- Upper Middle: 45 – 59 years old
- The Old: 60 years old and above
Among the G7 nations, Canada’s rankings are as follows:
- Overall Happiness: Canada secures the 2nd position among all G7 countries, trailing behind some EU countries such as Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Austria.
- Happiness by Age Group:
- The Young: Canada ranks 5th among G7 nations in this age group.
- Lower Middle: Canada secures the 4th position among G7 nations.
- Upper Middle: Canada ranks 2nd among G7 nations in this age group.
- The Old: Canada also ranks 2nd among G7 nations in this category.
Comparing Canada’s WHR 2024 ranking with its 2023 U.S. News ranking, there is a notable consistency in Canada’s favorable standings. While methodologies may vary between publications, Canada’s 2nd place position in the WHR 2024 aligns closely with its ranking as the 2nd best country overall in the 2023 U.S. News’ Best Countries ranking.
In addition, U.S. News placed Canada in the top seven countries across various subcategories, including agility, racial equality, quality of life, social purpose, education, women’s rights, retirement prospects, transparency, studying abroad, and child-rearing.
Canada’s consistent high rankings across multiple assessments reflect its status as a nation known for its quality of life, social progressiveness, and overall happiness among its citizens.
