Why Are the Finns So Darn Happy?

December 4, 2024

Have you ever wondered why Finland consistently ranks as the happiest country in the world? I have!

Maybe it comes from my work in the high-performance space but I love understanding what underpins sustained success. And, let’s be clear, this Finnish claim to fame isn’t a fluke-they’ve claimed the World Happiness Report’s top spot for seven years running.

What makes it especially interesting to me is they have some challenging factors working against them… like long, dark winters (I’m talking six hours of sunlight a day or less) and a challenging geopolitical location. Despite this, Finland continues to outperform nations in happiness, well-being, and resilience.

So, what’s their secret?

Recently, I had the pleasure of interviewing Sanna Marin, Finland’s former Prime Minister, at Energy Disruptors (you can catch the full chat here). Our conversation explored the pillars of Finland’s happiness—and more importantly, how leaders can apply these lessons to their teams and organisations.

It’s not about being cheerful all the time. “We live up in the north. It’s cold and dark most of the year,” Sanna joked. “We’re not always smiling.” Happiness in Finland isn’t about being relentlessly positive; it’s about building systems and fostering a culture that helps people to thrive, even during tough times.

Finland’s Happiness Secrets: 4 Leadership Lessons for Success

Here are four key leadership lessons from Finland’s success, with practical takeaways to help you build stronger, happier, more resilient teams.

1. Trust is the Engine of Happiness

Sanna emphasised that trust is everything. Finland’s social systems—whether education or healthcare—are built on the idea that everyone deserves access to opportunities and support. Think of it as “happiness infrastructure.”

“People know that if something happens to them, the system will take care of them,” Sanna explained. The Finnish healthcare system guarantees that all residents have access to necessary medical services and their education system is built on the principle of equity, with every student receiving free school meals, healthcare, and psychological support.

This foundation of trust becomes even more essential in tough times. She gave an example from the height of the pandemic when her government made it a point to provide regular updates, even when there was no new information to share. Why? Because trust is built in the moments in between, not just when big announcements happen.

In Finland, trust strengthens well-being by creating a sense of safety and belonging.

2. Embrace Sisu: Show Up, Stay Strong, Keep Moving

At the core of Finnish culture is Sisu—a unique blend of grit, endurance, and quiet determination. As Sanna put it, “It’s about going through solid rock if you have to, just to get things done.” For Finns, happiness isn’t about avoiding hardship or staying cheerful all the time—it’s about resilience and progress. Sisu is a kind of hope in action: the belief that moving forward, even in small ways, builds momentum, purpose, and fulfillment.

As Sanna said, “Hope isn’t something you just have—it’s something you create through action.”

Sanna embodied Sisu during her time as Prime Minister—leading Finland through a global pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and joining NATO, all while championing bold climate, education, and family reforms. And she did it all under the intense scrutiny of being a young female leader on the global stage. Sisu kept her moving forward—showing up day after day, staying strong under pressure, and refusing to quit.

3. Know What “Enough” Looks Like

For Finns, success isn’t about more for the sake of more. It’s about intentional living—making sure progress is meaningful and sustainable. Finland applies this principle across multiple areas, from personal well-being to public policy.

Finland’s climate policy embodies this principle perfectly: progress isn’t real if it comes at the expense of the future. That’s why Finland has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2035.

The same thinking underpins Finland’s economy of well-being. For Finland, success isn’t just about growing the economy—it’s about making sure that growth improves people’s lives, with better health, education, and social inclusion. Knowing what enough looks like means pursuing progress that adds real value—for people, society, and the planet—without getting caught up in endless expansion.

4. Fresh Air, Fresh Perspective

Another key to happiness? Nature. With 75% of Finland covered in forest and some of the cleanest air on the planet, Finns rely on the outdoors to boost mental clarity and build resilience. Nature isn’t just a backdrop to life—it’s an essential part of how they recharge and stay grounded. And thanks to Finland’s unique law, jokamiehen oikeudet (everyman’s right), everyone has free access to natural spaces, regardless of who owns the land.

Finns love the outdoors so much it’s totally normal to spot babies napping in their strollers outdoors, even in freezing winter temperatures. Research shows they sleep longer, better, and get an immune boost that helps keep allergies and illnesses at bay.

So, what can we take from Finland’s playbook? Trust, resilience, purpose, and a good dose of nature don’t just make a country happier—they build stronger teams, healthier organisations, and more meaningful lives.

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