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QUALITY OF LIFE

Why are young people in Norway less happy with life? 

New research has found that during a ten-year period from 2009 to 2019, young people in Norway have gone from being the happiest with their quality of life to the least satisfied. 

Published: 16 November 2021 14:19 CET
Pictured is two young people chatting in Oslo.
Research has found that young people are less happy than they were a decade ago. Pictured is two young people chatting in Oslo. Photo by Darya Tryfanava on Unsplash

The happiness and quality of life of young people in Norway declined between 2009 and 2019, new research has shown. 

Over ten years, the happiness of 15-24 year olds and 25-39 year olds declined 11 percent and 14 percent, respectively. This switched their place in the standings from the happiest age groups to the least satisfied. 

The findings came as a surprise to researchers as younger people had traditionally been the happiest in society. 

“The decline in happiness levels for people between the ages of 15 and 39 is particularly surprising because young people have traditionally used to score higher than older people on feelings of happiness,” one of the researchers, Ottar Hellevik, from the University, told public broadcaster NRK. 

“It is clear that something is happening to young people, which there is every reason to take seriously,” he added. 

The research from Ottar Hellevik, a professor at the University of Oslo and Tale Hellevik of Oslo Metropolitan University analysed data from quality of life surveys dating back to 1985. 

The research pointed to several factors for the decline in happiness, such as concerns around young people’s career opportunities, their financial situation and worries surrounding life-changing events such as climate change. 

“I am worried about the future. We hear about climate change every day,” Hedda Hugdahl Skjold, a student in Trondheim, told NRK. 

READ ALSO: How happy are foreign residents with their quality of life in Norway?

Another worry for young people was getting onto the property ladder. 

“I am worried about getting on the property ladder. My god, it is a crisis. At least in Norway,” Sigrid Jøras Larsen, also a student, told the public broadcaster. 

“These are completely outrageous prices. I do not have a job and haven’t started saving yet. It makes me quite stressed,” she added. 

The pressures of social media were another factor negatively impacting young people’s happiness. 

“I think you are being watched on all fronts. You are expected to excel in many areas—both socially and at school. You become more visible through social media,” Larsen said. 

Hellvik said that the trend of young people becoming unhappier could be reversed, and it wasn’t a given that they would remain less satisfied with life as they grow older. 

“This can be repaired with the right measures. Among other things, this points to the importance of being able to provide start-up loans and mortgages and better young peoples opportunities to enter the housing market,” the professor explained. 

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QUALITY OF LIFE

‘Pleasantly constant’: Why Switzerland ranks as the ‘world’s best country’ — again

For the sixth time, Switzerland wins the coveted title of the world’s top country in an international ranking. Why does the nation make it to the no.1 spot —time after time?

Published: 6 September 2023 11:31 CEST
'Pleasantly constant': Why Switzerland ranks as the 'world’s best country' — again

It’s official: Switzerland has been ranked ahead of 87 other countries analysed by the US News & World Report for its 2023 ranking, which was released on Wednesday morning. 

It is the sixth time that Switzerland tops the rankings, which measure a country’s global performance based on 73 categories. They include entrepreneurship; quality of life; adaptability and progress; social purpose; and other attributes listed here. 

What exactly makes Switzerland the best in the world?

The country “snags the top spot for business-friendliness and education, “and ranks in the top 10 for quality of life, social purpose and cultural influence,” according to study authors. “Among attributes, it was considered No.1 for being economically stable, safe and least corrupt.”

“And while people may not see it as the sexiest place, they would like to live there.”

One of Switzerland’s top qualities, the study showed, is ‘consistency.’

Unlike the political and economic volatility of many other countries, “there is something pleasantly constant about Switzerland,” the survey found.

It is true that change of any kind is slow to come here.

Part of the reason for this sluggishness is cultural: the Swiss don’t like spontaneity (unless it’s planned) or doing anything on a whim. 

They believe that rushing things and making hasty decisions will have disastrous results, which is why they prefer to take a cautious — even if painstakingly slow — path.

As a general rule, the Swiss have a penchant not only for planning, but for pre-planning as well. They like to thoroughly examine each aspect of a proposed change and look at it from all possible angles.

Another reason (besides the cultural one mentioned above) contributes to Switzerland’s notorious slowness in decision-making — the country’s political system.

Due to Switzerland’s decentralised form of government, the Federal Council must consult with cantons before a decision can be made at the national level.

That, as you can imagine, could take a while as each of the 26 cantons may drag their individual feet, and there could be no consensus among them.

READ ALSO : Why are things so slow to change in Switzerland? 

While some may see this ‘consistency’ as a negative, the US News & World Report considers it to be a definite plus.

How did Switzerland rank in major categories?

‘Open for business’

In this category, the country is in the first place (100 points out of 100).

Simply, this means  the country  is ‘business friendly’ because the government has created a good environment for businesses to thrive. 

“Switzerland has low unemployment, a skilled labour force and one of the highest gross domestic products per capita in the world,” the report relates. 

‘Educated population’

Here, too, Switzerland excels (100 points, first place).

Switzerland not only has an excellent and accessible education system, but according to Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), well over 80 percent of the country’s population have an upper secondary education or above.

This proportion is higher than the OECD average of 75 percent.

READ ALSO: How can foreigners get into a Swiss university?

‘Quality of life’

Here, Switzerland also got a high score ( 96.7), which places it in the fourth place.

This particular category, which includes essentials such as broad access to food, housing, quality education, healthcare, and employment, also comprises “intangibles such as job security, political stability, individual freedom and environmental quality.”

This is not exactly a surprise, as Switzerland often ranks highly in this category in other international surveys as well. 

In which categories does Switzerland rate poorly?

‘Power’

Switzerland’s score here is 26, which lands it in the 20th place.

But this is actually good news, if you consider criteria for this category:

“The world’s most powerful countries also are the ones that consistently dominate news headlines, preoccupy policymakers and shape global economic patterns. Their foreign policies and military budgets are tracked religiously.”

Needless to say, Switzerland has no interest in wielding global power.

Besides (unintentionally) invading neighbouring Liechtenstein on three occasions, Switzerland is not at all power-hungry.

This is not only because it is neutral, but also because its politics is based on peaceful coexistence.

(The number 1 spot in this category was snagged, not surprisingly, by the United States).

‘Movers’

This too is not a major surprise, since the sub-category here is ‘dynamic’, for which Switzerland was given a low score of 29.1.

The country did a bit better in the ‘distinctive’ and ‘unique’ sub-category, with scores of 43.5 and 42.1, respectively.

Overall, Switzerland is in the 26th place.

You can see details of each category here.

What is the Swiss reaction to the report?

Overwhelmingly positive, of course.

“What people love about us is our reliability and our predictability,” said Jacques Pitteloud, the Swiss ambassador to the U.S.

“With us, you know what you get, which is rare nowadays,” Alexandre Edelmann, head of Presence Switzerland, a government agency that promotes the country abroad, pointed out.

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