Finland is the happiest country in the world, even though taxes are 60%

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The World Happiness Report has just released its latest list of the happiest countries in the world. According to a report published on March 20, 2024, Finland again ranked first on the list of the happiest countries on earth. This country in Europe has consistently been in first place for 7 years in a row!

Many experts wonder, what makes Finns the happiest in the world? In fact, their country has the highest tax policy in Europe and the second highest in the world.

A resident of Finland can pay up to 56.95% tax if in the highest income category. Even though the tax percentage is extraordinarily large, the fact is that Finnish people enjoy living their lives.

2 Secrets of Finnish Happiness

Timo Viherkenttä, professor of law and tax from Aalto University, Finland, assesses that there are two factors that are the main contributors to the happiness of Finnish people: education and health. And these two things can be realized because of the taxes they pay.

“The consensus in society is that although residents pay higher taxes, they also get many social programs that promote health, happiness, and a better quality of life in return. These publicly funded social programs are available to everyone, regardless of whether you rich or poor,” he said, as quoted by CNBC Indonesia from the university's official website.

'I think health is a major factor in happiness. “In Finland there are always lively discussions about how to improve the healthcare and education systems – we prioritize these key initiatives so as not to be left behind,” explains Viherkentta.

Finland is superior in education compared to many other countries in the world. From elementary schools to colleges and universities, Finland's entire education system is one of the most heavily government-funded social structures, but remains largely free for its citizens.

Then there is universal healthcare, which is also government funded. In this country, every citizen has the right to get free health services, although there are also some paid health services for a number of special, more serious conditions, such as consultations with a heart doctor and so on.

In principle, Finnish residents do not have a problem with high tax policies because the money they pay can be enjoyed in the benefits of quality health and education services, even clearly measurable pensions. Taxes in Finland clearly contribute to creating a quality life that ultimately makes the population happy.

This condition may be difficult to find in countries with poor social security and high levels of corruption. In countries like that, residents tend to refuse to pay taxes because they are skeptical that the money will be stolen by corruptors.

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(hsy/hsy)