NewsTracker Answers for week of Mar. 23, 2020

Q: The Finns pride themselves on their “sisu” - stoic determination and the ability to act rationally in the face of adversity, like a pandemic. But, Finland’s people once again were ranked last week as the “happiest” on Earth. Where is the Nordic nation of Finland?

Circle the area on this map

Q: The 2020 World Happiness Report is not about how much people laugh or smile, but it measures how satisfied and confident people are about their lives and future. Which nation on Finland’s northern border ranked fifth in the report?

A. Estonia

B. Norway

C. Russia

D. Sweden

B. The top 10 happiest nations in order are Finland, Denmark, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, Netherlands, Sweden, New Zealand, Austria and Luxembourg. All of these nations are in western Europe except for the South Pacific islands of New Zealand.

Q: All of the “happiest” nations are relatively wealthy, ranking among the 50 nations with the highest gross domestic product (GDP) per person. Which of these is the richest?

A. Denmark

B. Finland

C. Luxembourg

D. Switzerland

C. With a GDP per person of $105,100 a year, Luxembourg is the fifth richest country in the world. But, wealth alone is not a guarantee of happiness. Finns are generally more satisfied, live longer, trust each other and their government more than people in 37 richer countries.

Q: While wealth may not necessarily bring happiness, poverty and conflict definitely bring misery. Which nation ranks at the bottom of the happiness report?

A. Afghanistan

B. Central African Republic

C. Rawanda

D. Zimbawe

A. After decades of civil war and a GDP per person of $2,000, Afghanistan ranked at the bottom in the happiness report. The world’s poorest nation, the Central African Republic, was the fifth most unhappy nation with a GDP per person of $700.

Q: Finland and the other Nordic nations always rank in the top 10 in the happiness rankings. Which of these top five nations is NOT one of Europe’s Nordic countries?

A. Denmark

B. Iceland

C. Norway

D. Switzerland

D. The Nordics are comprised of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden and their North Atlantic islands. The Nordic nations have generous health care, education and welfare benefits as well as low income inequality.