Canadians are frustrated but not surprised after a World Happiness Report revealed that the country is significantly less happy than last year, dropping from the 15th to the 18th happiest country in the world.
Canada placed among its “fifteen largest losers,” among other industrial Western countries that were found to be less happy now than between 2005 and 2010. The country reached its happiness peak 20 years ago when it placed fifth in the 2005 report.
The report ranks the happiness levels of countries using a Gallup survey that collects data on factors like GDP per capita, life expectancy, health, social connections, and residents’ perceptions of the country.
Other Western countries also seem to have taken a hit.
The United States fell to its lowest position yet at 24th, after ranking 23rd last year and achieving its peak in 2012 when it fell short of the top ten happiest countries at 11th. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom fell from 20th to 23rd happiest country.
This year’s report theme was “caring and sharing,” highlighting the benefits of altruism in individual happiness.
Overall, the report pointed out that people around the world appear to be pessimistic about the kindness of others, with data revealing that people are performing acts of kindness far more than others expect. For instance, the odds of dropping your wallet and having it given back to you by a stranger are higher than people generally anticipated.
It also highlighted that loneliness seems to be on the rise, especially among youth, as 19 per cent of young adults claim they have no one to support them in times of need.
Online, Canadians were frustrated with the results, blaming the high living costs for residents’ lack of happiness, with many pointing out housing affordability and lack of cheap entertainment as the main issues, especially among youth.
“Everything that makes life fun costs way too much or is so inconvenient and inaccessible that it might as well be cost-prohibitive,” a Reddit user wrote.
“Canada drops to 18th place on the World Happiness Index. But don’t worry, we still have sky-high housing prices, tax hikes, and grocery bills that require a second mortgage. 🇨🇦💸,” another user wrote on X.
Other Canadians suggested the current economic and political instability amid the trade war might also impact their happiness.
“It’s kind of hard to be really happy when major threats to national sovereignty are being floated around daily,” a user commented on Reddit.
“Considering all the internal crisis we face with affordability, now with the external threats and deteriorating world stability I think I understand,” another user added.
