Denmark was the No. 2 happiest country in the world in 2024. It has been in the top 10 in the World Happiness Report for over a decade. The small Nordic nation continues to fascinate researchers and travelers alike with its remarkable consistency in global happiness rankings. But what exactly makes the Danes so content?
The Safety Net That Never Fails
The fact that the Danish state provides and distributes benefits and services, and takes primary responsibility for the social welfare of all citizens, is a main reason why the Danish model is considered so unique. Currently, the average Danish citizen pays a total of 46 per cent of their income in taxes. But although Danes have the fifth highest tax burden in the world, 88 per cent of the Danes are happy to pay their taxes (Gallup Institute Survey).
Education in Denmark is free, and virtually the entire adult population is literate. All registered Danish residents are entitled to publicly-financed health care services, which are largely free at the point of use. Only about 3.7% of the population lives below the relative poverty line.
The comprehensive nature of Denmark’s welfare system creates something remarkable: genuine security. When people don’t worry about healthcare bankrupting them or their children missing out on quality education due to financial constraints, they can focus on actually living.
Work-Life Balance That Actually Works
In Denmark, working conditions are generally good, and an ordinary work week is 37 hours, and a minimum of five weeks holiday annually is the norm. In Denmark, it’s normal for employees to take five to seven weeks off each year. This isn’t about being lazy – it’s about recognizing that humans aren’t machines.
Danish workplaces are known for autonomy, gender equality, paternal involvement in childcare, a superb work-life balance, less focus on hierarchy and status, and a higher level of trust – including with managers. Having shorter working days is the main reason why Danes are at the top of the rankings of the world’s most productive people.
Leaving work on time, cycling home or jumping on the accessible and effective public transport network, picking up your children from day-care and having a cosy dinner with family or friends, equals happiness for most Danes. The radical idea? Life shouldn’t revolve around work.
Hygge: More Than Just Candles and Cozy Socks
In brief, hygge is about taking time away from the daily rush to be together with people you care about – or even by yourself – to relax and enjoy life’s quieter pleasures. Hygge reflects the values of Danish society: equality and the well-being of everybody.
In brief, hygge is about taking time away from the daily rush to be together with people you care about – or even by yourself – to relax and enjoy life’s quieter pleasures. While many nations enjoy these activities, perhaps the Danish feature of the pursuit is that we have a word for it, and we use it multiple times a day. Prioritising and openly celebrating the little things is part of our recipe for a good life in Denmark.
This isn’t just about interior design or lifestyle marketing. Because it instills a sense of security and opens up time to build a ‘hyggelig’ society – a society where people are better connected, trustworthy and at greater ease with the world around them. It’s a cultural commitment to slowing down and appreciating what matters.
Trust as the Foundation of Everything
High levels of trust in government institutions, low levels of corruption, and a commitment to social equality further reinforce this collective identity. Like a society built on trust and cohesiveness, a Danish workplace is defined by a natural, flat corporate structure, a delegating mindset and a high level of trust in employees to do the right thing.
Here’s something remarkable: The country’s small size and homogenous population foster a sense of community where individuals feel connected and supported by their neighbours and institutions. When you trust your government, your employer, and your neighbors, life becomes fundamentally less stressful.
We look to solve things together because we trust each other. And due to the high levels of trust, there is little micromanagement in our workplaces. We have faith that our employees will do the right thing. Trust creates efficiency, reduces anxiety, and builds social cohesion.
Equality That Goes Beyond Rhetoric
Denmark is one of the world’s most gender-equal countries, though a small gender pay gap persists. Equality and Inclusion: Denmark has a strong commitment to equality and inclusion, promoting fairness and reducing social disparities. This isn’t just talk – it’s embedded in policies and daily life.
Denmark is among the countries with the world’s lowest income inequality, according to the OECD, which looks at income inequality as measured by the GINI coefficient across 38 states. You’ll also find a greater emphasis on humility and equality. “There’s less overt displays of wealth or status,” notes Peter, a teacher who relocated to Aarhus.
When everyone has access to quality education, healthcare, and opportunities regardless of their background, society becomes more stable and people feel more secure about their place in it.
The Community Connection
Denmark boasts a strong sense of social cohesion and trust within its society. The country’s small size and homogenous population foster a sense of community where individuals feel connected and supported by their neighbours and institutions. Strong Sense of Community: Danes value community and social connections, fostering a sense of belonging and support.
This can be social gatherings, sports (football, sailing, handball, badminton, swimming and cycling top the list) or taking a course, joining the local book or theatre club or volunteer work. Leaving work on time, cycling home or jumping on the accessible and effective public transport network, picking up your children from day-care and having a cosy dinner with family or friends, equals happiness for most Danes.
The emphasis on community isn’t forced or artificial. It emerges naturally when people have time, security, and shared values. Danish people help each other, it’s something ingrained in our culture.
Lessons for the Rest of Us
Costa Rica and Mexico both ranked in the top 10 for the first time, which Ron Levey says shows that you don’t need to be one of the world’s wealthiest countries to make people happy. “High life evaluation is possible when basic economic needs are being met,” she says. “One message for all countries is that wealth is insufficient for your population to feel happy about their lives and to have strong life evaluation.”
Denmark’s success story proves that happiness isn’t about having the biggest economy or the most billionaires. What’s becoming clear through a quick run-down of the good old Danes, is that ‘hygge’, whilst important to building happiness, only has optimal effects if stood against a backdrop of meaningful, collaborative social democracy.
The Danish model shows us that investing in social infrastructure, trusting citizens, promoting equality, and prioritizing wellbeing over pure economic growth can create a society where people genuinely thrive. It’s not magic – it’s policy, culture, and values working together.
Denmark’s consistent happiness rankings aren’t accidental or temporary. They’re the result of deliberate choices about how to structure society, support citizens, and define success. While every country faces unique challenges, the Danish approach offers valuable insights about what’s possible when a nation decides to put human wellbeing at the center of its priorities. What would happen if more countries decided happiness was worth investing in?