Finland Named World's Happiest Country — Again
Vocabulary
Repeat each word, definition, and example sentence after your tutor.
in a row
Phrase
ɪn ə roʊ
happening one after another
I've had to work late three nights in a row.
gross domestic product
Noun
groʊs dəˈmestɪk ˈprɑːdəkt
the total value of all goods produced and services provided in a country in one year (GDP)
The tourism industry is a major contributor to Japan's gross domestic product.
life expectancy
Noun
ˈlaɪf ɪkspektənsi
the number of years a person or animal is expected to live
Life expectancy in Japan is higher than most countries.
freedom
Noun
ˈfriːdəm
the power or right to say, do, think, etc. what one wants
The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom.
corruption
Noun
kəˈrʌpʃən
dishonest or illegal behavior carried out by powerful people
The CEO stepped down amid rumors of corruption.
well-being
Noun
wɛl ˈbiːɪŋ
the state of being happy and healthy
A consistent sleep schedule can help improve your overall well-being.
Article
Read the article aloud on your own or repeat each paragraph after your tutor.
Finland Named World's Happiest Country — Again
For the seventh year in a row, Finland has been named the world's happiest country in the World Happiness Report.
It's one of eight European countries in the top 10, with Denmark, Sweden and Iceland in second, third and fourth.
The report is published every year by research company Gallup, the University of Oxford and the United Nations.
It's mostly based on the way people in more than 140 countries feel about their lives.
But the report also considers a country's gross domestic product, level of social support, life expectancy, freedom, level of corruption, and how much people there give to charity.
The 2024 report also looked at the way people of different ages feel about life in their country.
It found that Lithuania was the happiest country for young children and people under the age of 30, while Denmark was the happiest for over 60s.
It also said that, on average, those born before 1965 are happier than those born since 1980.
In fact, levels of well-being have been getting worse among young people in Western Europe and North America.
The report takes data from the last three years to get its results.
That means recent events don't always have a big impact on a country's place on the list. For example, Israel was fifth on the list of happiest countries, but the survey took place before a lot of the recent fighting there began.
Also in the top 10 are the Netherlands, Norway, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Australia.
Of the 10 least happy countries, eight are in Africa, although the bottom two are Lebanon and Afghanistan.
Questions
1.
What is the World Happiness Report mostly based on?
Answer
"It's mostly based on the way people in more than 140 countries feel about their lives."
2.
Which country was the happiest for over 60s?
Answer
"It found that Lithuania was the happiest country for young children and people under the age of 30, while Denmark was the happiest for over 60s."
3.
What are the two least happy countries?
Answer
"Of the 10 least happy countries, eight are in Africa, although the bottom two are Lebanon and Afghanistan."
4.
Do you find it surprising that Finland has been named the happiest country seven years in a row?
5.
Why do you think so many European countries are in the top 10?
6.
Which of the countries in the top 10 would you like to visit?
7.
Why do you think young people's levels of well-being might be getting worse in Western Europe and North America?
8.
Who do you think are happier in your country: younger or older people?