Reykjavik in Iceland, which currently has no travel restrictions for Covid-19.
GT
Traveling during the devastation of the pandemic has been complicated for the past two years and filled with paperwork, stress, anxiety and testing. But with countries reopening borders, people are once again beginning to plan overseas trips.
Anyone looking for inspiration can do worse than visit the happiest country in the world. It’s win-win when some of those have lifted Covid-related travel restrictions – making the trip more hassle-free than ever.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network has been trying to geographically locate greater happiness since it first published its annual World Happiness Report in 2012. The focus is on encouraging global development, while providing a useful benchmark on what makes people happy and a healthy society.
The 2022 Happiness Report, the 10th, also looked at how governments supported their people before, during and after a pandemic, concluding that “a pandemic has caused not only pain and suffering but also increased social support and charity.” Its authors declare that “as we fight disease, disease and war, it is essential that we remember the universal desire for happiness and the ability of individuals to rally one another’s support in times of greatest need.”
The results were not surprising in many ways, with each of the Nordic countries appearing highly on the 2022 list, as they have been since its inception – but this year, Israel took the top 10 spot for the first time and France topped 20.
The top 20 list (ranked 20-11, respectively) included France at 20, followed by Belgium, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, the United States (16th), Canada, Germany, Ireland, Australia and Austria. By the way, for anyone looking for hassle-free holidays with less paperwork, Ireland and the UK are currently fully open to travelers without any Covid-19 related travel restrictions.
Here are the 10 happiest countries in the world with an overview of the current Covid-19 travel restrictions in place as of mid-April 2022.
10th place – New Zealand
New Zealand had one of the lowest death rates during Covid-19 and in 2019 Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern introduced the welfare budget, to spend money on mental health and child poverty and support the Maori and Pasifika population.
New Zealand is reopening its borders in five phases and it will be fully open by October 2022 to people holding visitor visas to enter. Just in time for summer in the southern hemisphere.
Ninth place – Israel – Open with the test
Israel has one of the lowest rates of diet-related deaths, and during the pandemic, it was one of the first countries to vaccinate the majority of its population. Conde Nast I mentioned how Israel fully reopened to international travelers (after a few false starts) on March 1, 2022, regardless of vaccine status, but testing is still in progress.
From May 6 onwards, many airlines have opened or repositioned, especially from US cities, such as American Airlines from Dallas/Fort Worth non-stop to Ben Gurion. El Al is also returning its non-stop route from Boston to Ben Gurion, which was removed from the streams in March 2020.
8th place – Norway – fully open
Norway has a strong welfare state with an abundance of natural resources to support a thriving self-sufficient economy. Its citizens also have high confidence in their government and its institutions (often a key feature of building a happy society).
Since February 12, 2022, travel restrictions have been completely lifted. As the Visitnorway website states, “You can travel to Norway without having to worry about anything more than having a good time!”
Seventh place – Sweden – fully open
Sweden has had the highest number of deaths linked to Covid-19 among all the Nordic countries, as reported CNN TravelerHowever, the reason it consistently appears in the top 10 of the happiest countries is its high per capita GDP. There is an emphasis on work-life balance, including the fact that couples are allowed to share 16 months of paid parental leave after having children, with child care free.
On 1 April 2022, the Swedish government lifted the entry ban for countries outside the EU/EEA which also meant repealing the rule requiring negative Covid-19 tests or vaccination certificates to be shown.
6th place – Luxembourg
Luxembourg has a small population that benefits from a robust welfare system that places great emphasis on work-life balance and takes good care of its people in retirement.
Luxembourg recently extended its current travel restrictions until the end of June (except for Ukrainian citizens), which means that visitors from outside the EU/Schengen area must show vaccination status and in some cases, negative test results.
Fifth place – Netherlands
A UNICEF study found that Dutch children are some of the happiest children in the world and that many of them have breakfast with their parents every morning (which is an indicator of a happy society). The Dutch have apparently maintained the same levels of happiness since 2005.
There is still a ban on entry into the Netherlands from countries outside the EU/EEA/Schengen area although there are some exceptions, for example, if you are traveling from a country on the EU safe list.
Fourth place – Switzerland
Switzerland has a system of direct democracy in which residents vote on everything several times a year through referendums, including the number of holidays that should be mandatory for immigration. This makes for a happy and inclusive society. Then there is the chocolate.
Switzerland still has some travel restrictions but is open to travelers who have been fully vaccinated.
Third Happiest – Iceland – Fully Open
Iceland is known for its stunning scenery, small population, and abundance of natural resources to support the economy. The Happiness Index found that many locals felt as if they had someone else to turn to, in times of need, a situation particularly tested during the 2007 financial crash.
Since Friday, February 25, the Icelandic border has been completely open to travelers without the need to show their vaccination status, test results or quarantine.
Thani Asaad – Denmark – fully open
Copenhagen has its own happiness institute, and it has remained in second place. It’s big on renewable energy and all the metrics that make a happy society like life expectancy, etc.
Since March 29, 2022, Denmark has lifted all travel restrictions. However, a requirement to show vaccination status may still be required when boarding an aircraft, according to government guidelines.
The happiest country – Finland
Finland has been ranked first for 5 years due to its highly respected education system. As noted before CNN TravelerA love of cold, wild swimming may also play a role.
There are no current travel restrictions to Finland for anyone arriving from within the EU/Schengen area nor for those countries currently on the EU safe to travel list. Under current guidelines that run until May 8, 2022, travelers from all other countries must be vaccinated or show a Covid-19 digital certificate from the European Union.
Incidentally, Afghanistan ranked first in the world in unhappiness, with Lebanon, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Botswana in the bottom five. Ironically, too, as mentioned ForbesFinland, the happiest country that shares a border with Russia, came in at number 80.
