“Would you rather cry in a Toyota or a Bentley?”

This popular saying suggests that wealth automatically brings happiness. But when we look globally, the story is far more complex.

Despite decades of economic development efforts, money alone explains only about 20% of the variation in happiness across countries (World Happiness Report, 2024). Several social, political, and health-related factors strongly shape whether people truly feel fulfilled.

Despite intense focus on economic development, money is only part of the happiness equation.

The Problem…

Despite global economic growth, more than 30% of the world’s population still reports low happiness scores.

For instance, according to the World Happiness Report 2024:

• Afghanistan continues to rank as the least happy country in the world, grappling with political turmoil and humanitarian crises that severely impact daily life and well-being.
• Zimbabwe and Rwanda, while showing some signs of economic recovery, still face deep-rooted challenges  keeping happiness scores stubbornly low.
• Strikingly, the majority of the world’s least happy countries are located in Africa — including Burundi, Malawi, Lesotho, Botswana, and Rwanda.

Problem Evidence: What the Data Showed

Our global visualisations revealed striking patterns:

• Northern Europe dominates the top happiness rankings (Finland, Denmark, Iceland).
• Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Latin America consistently reported the lowest happiness scores.

However, some surprising insights emerged:

• Surprisingly Happy:
  • Bangladesh — Despite average monthly salaries being below $250 USD, Bangladesh ranked mid-tier in happiness, supported by strong family networks, sustainable living, and gradual democratic reforms.
  • Uzbekistan — Similarly, Uzbekistan outperformed wealthier nations in life satisfaction due to tight-knit communities and recent political reforms.
• Surprisingly Unhappy:
  • China and Venezuela — countries with relatively strong cultural identities or past economic power now ranking among the unhappiest, driven by political instability and erosion of basic freedoms.

Our scatterplots and choropleth maps confirmed:
Wealth alone is not a reliable predictor of happiness.

Potential Solution: What Drives True Happiness?

By drawing on the impact of key predictors in the world health report such as corruption, freedom, health and social support on the happiness score in the graph below along with the World Happiness Report, 2 key pillars stand out:

• Healthy Life Expectancy: Countries with higher life expectancy  showed, on average, happiness scores 20–30% higher than countries with life expectancy below 60 years.
• Social Support: Individuals who reported having “someone to rely on in times of trouble” scored up to 2 points higher on happiness scales.

To foster national happiness, countries should therefore:

Prioritise healthy living:

• Focus on preventive healthcare and wellness initiatives.

• Not just extend life, but ensure those years are lived meaningfully.

Integrate mental health into national strategies:

• Mental health conditions account for 15% of the global disease burden, yet remain under-addressed in many countries.

Expand social safety nets:

• Public investments in healthcare, education, and social protection must become pillars of development — not afterthoughts.

Strengthen community support systems:

• Programs that encourage family cohesion, volunteerism, and social capital have been linked to higher resilience and subjective wellbeing.

For instance, countries like Finland, Denmark, and Iceland (happiness scores >7.5) consistently showcase:

• Strong democratic institutions
• Robust social support networks
• Exceptional healthcare systems
• High levels of personal freedom and trust

In our global charts, these elements had far stronger relationships with happiness than income did.

Moreover, to truly thrive in the 21st century, policymakers, global leaders, and development agencies must redefine progress beyond economic indicators like GDP.
National strategies should invest directly in the pillars that matter most to human flourishing:

• Strengthen social support systems: Create environments where individuals feel supported by their communities and governments.

• Prioritise health: Invest not just in lifespan, but in healthy, meaningful lives.

A happier world is not just a dream — it is a measurable, actionable goal.
By focusing on what truly drives well-being, we can move toward nations that are not only richer but also more compassionate, resilient, and fulfilled.