According to the 2024 World Happiness Report, Canada is the second happiest nation among the G7. 

The World Happiness Report is an annual publication crafted in partnership between Gallup, the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and the WHR’s Editorial Board. 

Based on a ‘three-year average’ of what the WHR calls ‘life evaluations,’ the 2024 version of this report assesses the happiness of people in more than 140 nations ‘during different life stages and of those in different generations.’ This is in addition to including an overall happiness ranking for all ages in each nation. 

Note: The WHR states that life evaluations are based on responses to the Gallup World Poll, which asks respondents to evaluate their present life as a whole using the image of a ladder, with the best possible life for them as a 10 & the worst possible as 0. 

Moreover, in addition to its overall rankings, the report divides each nation’s population into these four groups: 

  • The Young: Under 30 years of age 
  • Lower Middle: 30 – 44 years old
  • Upper Middle: 45 – 59 years of age
  • The Old: 60 years & above

Where Does Canada Rank Among The G7? 

As defined by Global Affairs Canada, Canada is the second happiest nation among the G7. Well, G7 is the grouping of seven of the world’s advanced economies. This group of nations includes Canada, Germany, France, Japan, Italy, the UK, the US, & the EU. 

  • Overall Rankings 

In terms of overall happiness, Canada ranks second among all G7 nations in the WHR 2024. 

Trailing only some nations in the EU – Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands, Luxembourg, & Austria – Canada ranked higher than all other G7 nations in overall happiness: 

  • UK: 20th in overall happiness
  • US: 23th in overall happiness
  • Germany: 24th in overall happiness
  • France: 27th in overall happiness
  • Italy: 41st in overall happiness
  • Japan: 51st in overall happiness

  • Rankings By Age Group 

Among the G7, here is where Canada ranked in each of the the age groups noted above: 

  • The Young: Under 30 years of age 

In this age group, Canada ranked 5th, ahead of the US & Japan.

  • Lower Middle: 30 – 44 years old

In this age group, Canada ranked 4th, ahead of Italy, Japan, & the US.

  • Upper Middle: 45 – 59 years of age

Canada ranked 2nd in this age group, behind only some nations of the EU. 

  • The Old: 60 years & above

In this age group, Canada ranked 2nd. Once again, Canada trailed only some nations in the EU. 

How Canada’s WHR 2024 Ranking Compares With Its 2023 US News Ranking 

Living in Canada is considered as one of the best decisions for individuals. Well, that’s because Canada is the second happiest nation among the G7. Although different publications use different methodologies & factors to rank nations, Canada’s place among the happiest nations according to WHR 2024 coincides with its ranking as the second-best nation in the world overall according to the US’s News’ Best Countries Ranking for 2023. 

Last year, the US News Ranking placed Canada behind Switzerland in the overall standings. 

Moreover, the US News ranked Canada in the top seven nations for nearly half of its 10 categories. Specifically, Canada ranked: 

  • 2nd for Agility
  • 2nd for starting a career
  • 2nd for racial equality
  • 3rd for Quality of Life
  • 4th for Social Purpose
  • 4th for education
  • 6th for women
  • 6th for pursuing a comfortable retirement
  • 6th in terms of most transparent countries
  • 7th for studying abroad
  • 7th for raising kids

Note: The US News states that agility is about the country’s ability to adapt and respond to obstacles, implying that these nations are most adaptable to change. 

Note: The US News describes social purpose as the ability of the nation’s citizens to rally around certain causes that they feel strongly about. Moreover, these nations are seen as being the most progressive, inclusive, & committed to social justice.