Finland: The Happiest Country That Almost Didn't Exist

What is the world’s happiest country - for nine years running?
It’s not the biggest, warmest or richest.

It’s not distant from war or blessed with oil, gas and hydro energy.

It has Europe’s darkest winter nights, most northerly capital city and (probably) hardest to
learn language.

But Finland is happy. And Finns are the happiest people on earth according to the World
Happiness Index.

Not laugh-out-loud happy. But very satisfied with the country they’ve created and the lives
they lead. No wonder.

Despite a past of famine, invasion, occupation and a brutal civil war, Finland today is one of
the ten most income-equal countries on earth, with the highest trust levels, best education
system and happiest teenagers. And despite the constant threat posed by neighbour Russia,
stockpiles to survive attack, conscription, and regular drills to check bunker spaces, life for
Finns is pretty relaxed. There may be almost as many saunas as Finns – but there are more
cooperative memberships than both. Big, multinational companies don’t run Finland.
Hundreds of small councils and thousands of coops, supply everything from clothes and
banking services to water, dairy produce and electricity.

So how did the quiet Finns transform their country in 100 years flat?
This film by Nordic Horizons Director Lesley Riddoch and Inverness-born, Helsinki-based
filmmaker Gavin Hanigan offers some answers.

Big thanks to the 224 people who contributed to the crowdfunder which made this film
possible and to Gavin’s versatile punk/folk band Juha-Matti Paska and Gavin himself for the
great music.

The film was shown in 25 cinemas and community venues in Scotland during early 2026 and
this Youtube version builds on questions asked during Q&A sessions on the astonishingly
low cost of kindergarten and the importance of trust, local control and ultra-long term
planning in Finland’s success – a total antidote to the Anglo-American model.
We hope Finns feel it does their fabulous country justice.

If you want to see more of Gavin's work check out his YouTube Channel @GavinHanigan.

Видео Finland: The Happiest Country That Almost Didn't Exist канала Lesley Riddoch