Singapore’s happiness levels have dropped, as the nation slipped four places to 34th in the World Happiness Report 2024, marking its lowest ranking since 2012. Once ranked 30th in 2023 and crowned the happiest country in Asia, Singapore has now been overtaken by Taiwan, which secured the 27th spot.
The study, published by the University of Oxford, Gallup, and the United Nations, assessed 147 nations based on six key factors: social support, GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and perception of corruption. The rankings were based on a three-year average and insights from over 100,000 respondents worldwide.
Which Countries Ranked the Happiest?
Nordic countries continued to dominate the top positions, with Finland securing the No. 1 spot for the eighth consecutive year. The top five happiest nations are:
- Finland
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Sweden
- Netherlands
In Asia, most countries saw a decline in rankings:
- Japan dropped from 51st to 55th
- South Korea fell from 52nd to 58th
- China slipped from 60th to 68th
Surprisingly, Costa Rica (6th) and Mexico (10th) entered the top 10 for the first time, despite not having the highest GDP levels. Their strong family bonds and social support played a crucial role in their rankings.
Why Did Singapore’s Happiness Ranking Decline?
While Singapore leads in low corruption perception and economic prosperity, it scored lower in social support and perceived freedom. This indicates that despite a high GDP per capita, many Singaporeans may feel disconnected from their communities or dissatisfied with their personal freedom.
A study from the Institute of Policy Studies’ Social Lab found that the average number of close friends for Singaporeans dropped from 10 in 2018 to around six in 2024.
“Social connections significantly influence our happiness. We see higher anxiety and lower life satisfaction among youths with shrinking social networks,” said Mr. Melvin Tay, a research associate at IPS.
The Link Between Happiness and Social Bonds
The report highlights that acts of kindness and social interactions significantly impact happiness levels. This includes:
- Spending time with family and friends
- Volunteering or donating to causes
- Helping strangers
Such pro-social behaviors have been shown to improve mental health, reduce stress, and increase life satisfaction.
What Can Singapore Do to Improve Happiness Levels?
Although Singapore remains one of the most developed countries in the region, experts suggest focusing on non-economic factors to boost happiness levels.
Recommendations include:
- Enhancing work-life balance policies
- Strengthening community support networks
- Encouraging volunteering and social engagement
- Promoting mental health awareness and support services
Singapore’s happiness levels seem to have plateaued while neighboring countries like Vietnam have made significant gains, rising from 96th in 2015 to 46th in 2024. This highlights that social cohesion and emotional well-being are just as crucial as economic success in determining overall happiness.
Conclusion
Singapore’s happiness ranking decline serves as a wake-up call to focus on social support and mental well-being. While the country excels in economic stability and low corruption levels, fostering stronger community ties and improving work-life balance could help boost Singapore’s happiness levels in future reports.
As global studies show, happiness is not just about wealth—but also about human connections, generosity, and a sense of belonging.
