When it comes to the happiest country in the world, Finland comes to mind, but Global Mind Project has released it’s Mental State of the World report, based on different findings. Having been through the COVID pandemic, with lockdowns and more, it has had some lasting effects on people. According to a new report, whether it’s how we socialize, how we work, or how we travel, the pandemic has had a substantial impact on our mental health. Meanwhile, the way people are feeling right now around the world could have an impact on where we choose to travel this year.

The Global Mind Project and the Mental State of the World

The Global Mind Project has released its fourth annual Mental State of the World Report, which was conducted by Sapien Labs. This latest report reveals just how happy or unhappy we have been since 2020 and the results are surprising.

The new report is the result of research after 419,175 people from 71 different countries completed an anonymous survey online. The survey was designed to find an individual’s Mental Health Quotient (MHQ) by evaluating 47 aspects of mental health. The research explored six main categories as follows:

• Mood and outlook
• Social self
• Drive and motivation
• Mind-body connection
• Cognition
• Adaptability and resilience

Moreover, the survey drew information on individuals’ lifestyles, dynamics with family and friends, and personal traumas. Once complete, people were given a score based on their responses and placed on a spectrum, from thriving to distressed.

What were the results of the survey?

The results of the research are fascinating, with the Dominican Republic earning the top spot by the highest average MHQ, where the average is 91 out of 300. However, Sri Lanka was close on its tail with a score of 89, followed by Tanzania, which scored 88. Due to these results, all three countries are reportedly thriving.

However, other countries didn’t score as highly in the Global Mind Project survey. At the other end of the scale is Uzbekistan, which scored a low average MHQ of 48. Next in line is the United Kingdom, which only scored an MHQ of 49.

Readers can look below at the lists of the 10 happiest and 10 unhappiest countries in the world by individuals’ Mental Health Quotient from the poll.

10 happiest countries in the world by MHQ

1. Dominican Republic
2. Sri Lanka
3. Tanzania
4. Panama
5. Malaysia
6. Nigeria
7. Venezuela
8. El Salvador
9. Costa Rica
10. Uruguay

10 unhappiest countries in the world

1. Uzbekistan
2. United Kingdom
3. South Africa
4. Brazil
5. Tajikistan
6. Australia
7. Egypt
8. Ireland
9. Iraq
10. Yemen

In the Global Mind Project report, which can be accessed here, two key findings from the survey reveal that the younger age of first smartphone ownership and highly processed food consumption are two major contributors to people’s mental health challenges. Meanwhile, in wealthier countries, the age of first smartphone ownership is much younger, while highly processed food consumption is much higher.

Moreover, the Global Mind Project added four more languages to the poll, namely Russian, Chinese, Italian and Hebrew, thus drawing people from more countries to the survey.

Due to these findings, the top of the rankings (happiest) involve Latin American and African countries, while many of those in the unhappiest list are wealthier countries, such as the UK, Australia and Ireland.

Readers, are your countries represented on the happiest or unhappiest lists? Do you find the results of the survey to be appropriate for yourself and your country? Let us know by dropping a comment below.