Thailand ranked among top 50 in World Happiness Report 2024

Thailand ranks among the top 50 countries in the World Happiness Report 2024 as a potential destination for young people seeking happiness, highlighting a high level of joy among those under 30 years old in the country.

The World Happiness Report, conducted jointly by the United Nations (UN), the University of Oxford, and the analytics and advisory firm Gallup, drew its findings from the Gallup World Poll carried out from 2021 to 2022.

Six main aspects were taken into consideration to create the happiness report, including gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy at birth, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and perceptions of corruption.

Among 143 countries and regions in the report, Thailand was ranked in 45th place. The country is the second happiest country in Asia, following Taiwan, which is at the top.

American magazine Travel+Leisure expressed the opinion that Thailand’s ranking is bolstered by its status as a travel destination and one of the friendliest destinations for foreign visitors due to visa-free measures and various visa options for young foreigners to stay and explore Thai culture and lifestyle.

The countries/regions in the top 10 of the ranking are Lithuania, Israel, Serbia, Iceland, Denmark, Luxembourg, Finland, Romania, the Netherlands, and Czechia. The full report can be accessed here.

Spokesperson of the Prime Minister’s Office Chai Watcharong emphasised that the Prime Minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin, always considers the needs and lifestyles of the youth in the country in light of global changes.

PM Srettha also prioritises government policies that align with the lifestyles of the new generation, such as the Marriage Equality Bill, which was approved on June 18. Chai stated that Thailand is the first country in ASEAN and the third in Asia to approve the bill.

Chai added that the ranking was further evidence of the successful operation of the government under Srettha’s leadership.

However, Thai netizens seem to disagree with the ranking. Some suggested that the country might be friendly for foreign young people, but not for locals. Many mentioned recent graduates who are struggling to find jobs, while others pointed to young people who are addicted to drugs.