FEATURE -Sri Lanka - bottom of the ladder in terms of happiness

By Timothy A. Edward

The 2021 World Happiness Report reveals an unexpected finding: Sri Lanka ranks 129th out of 149 countries, placing us near the bottom of the list in terms of happiness. In contrast, the top five happiest countries are Finland, Denmark, Switzerland, Iceland, and the Netherlands.

Some Potential Reasons

Happiness is subjective and the ingredients of happiness might differ from person to person. Yet, the fact remains that our country has faced numerous challenges such as political turmoil and natural calamities in the past decades that have hindered our progress. As a result, Sri Lanka has consistently been ranked low in terms of happiness. 

Here are some possible factors that contribute to this ranking:

1. History of conflict: We have a history of civil wars and political unrest, which have had a significant impact on our country's overall well-being and happiness. These conflicts have resulted in widespread violence and displacement, leading to trauma and ongoing social and economic challenges.

2. Economic struggles: In recent years, our economy has encountered significant hurdles, resulting in even catastrophic collapses. These challenges, including mounting debt, sluggish growth, and rising inflation, have caused widespread economic struggles for over 70 per cent of the population. As a result, there has been a decrease in overall life satisfaction and happiness among citizens.

3. Social inequality: A quick look at our social strata will indicate that there exists a notable disparity in income, resulting in a considerable wealth divide between the affluent and the poor. This can lead to feelings of injustice and dissatisfaction among those who are struggling to make ends meet, particularly those living in urban areas.

4. Natural disasters: Our country is often hit by natural calamities such as floods, landslides, and extreme weather patterns. For instance, just last year, we were faced with devastating landslides, and this year, we are bracing ourselves for scorching heat waves. Unfortunately, these disasters not only cause widespread damage and loss to lives, but also impact people's livelihoods and cause emotional suffering and trauma.

5. Mental health challenges: Sri Lanka has a high prevalence of mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, which are aggravated by economic uncertainties, social inequality and family conflicts. These factors greatly contribute to a decline in an individual's overall sense of well-being, happiness and contentment.

It is essential to note that Sri Lanka has made significant progress in recent years in terms of rebuilding and recovering from its past challenges. However, the above factors still contribute to the country's low ranking in terms of happiness compared to other nations.

Way Out

Our top priority should be to establish a strong sense of security and safety for every individual in our society, ultimately leading to increased levels of happiness. To achieve this, it is crucial to enhance our social support systems such as healthcare, education, social welfare programmes, retirement plans, and other provisions. Steps should be taken to lower income inequality, enabling all our citizens to enjoy good standards of living and economic stability. 

An important aspect to consider is achieving a balance between work and personal life, as it greatly impacts happiness. Implementing generous parental leave policies, compassionate bereavement leave, shorter work hours, work from home opportunities, a hybrid work model, and fostering a culture that values family and leisure time can greatly benefit our citizens. By prioritising personal lives and hobbies, individuals can enjoy a better quality of life and overall happiness.

Despite being known as the 'pearl' of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka could also be described as a goldmine along the Silk Route. Our country boasts breathtaking mountain ranges, stunning natural landscapes, and access to some of the world's most popular beaches. With these attributes, we have the potential to transform our island into a global wonder, greatly improving our happiness index and overall contentment of our people.

Our own happiness is directly linked to the happiness we bring to others through our thoughts and deeds. This can be seen in the simple joys of life, such as a mother's lullaby. Happiness is pure and bright, like snow, but also passionate and vibrant like the sun, with all the colors of the rainbow. It can be found in the growth and accomplishments of children, in the peacefulness of a sunset and the gentle crashing of waves against rocks. Above all, happiness is found in the smiles of those we love. When we consider these things, it begs the question - is it truly difficult to find happiness in life?