Traveling during the devastation of the pandemic has been complicated over the past two years and full of paperwork, stress, anxiety and testing. But as countries reopen borders, people are once again beginning to plan trips overseas.
Anyone looking for inspiration could do worse than visiting the world’s happiest countries. It’s a win-win when some of these have lifted Covid-related travel restrictions–making the voyage more hassle-free than ever.
The U.N. Sustainable Development Solutions Network has been trying to geographically locate the most happiness since it first published its annual World Happiness Report in 2012. The emphasis is on encouraging global development, whilst providing a useful benchmark on what makes happy people and a healthy society.
The 2022 Happiness report, the tenth, also looked also at how governments had supported their populations before, during and since the pandemic, and concluded that “the pandemic brought not only pain and suffering but also an increase in social support and benevolence.” Its authors declare that “as we battle the ills of disease and war, it is essential to remember the universal desire for happiness and the capacity of individuals to rally to each other’s support in times of great need.”
The results were unsurprising in many ways, in that every Nordic country appears hig up on the 2022 list, as has been the case since its inception–but this year, Israel made it into the top 10 for the first time and France into the top 20.
The top 20 list (ranked 20-11 respectively) listed France at number 20, then Belgium, the Czech Republic, the U.K., the U.S. (in 16th place), Canada, Germany, Ireland, Australia, and Austria. Incidentally, for anyone looking for hassle-free holidays with less paperwork, Ireland and the U.K. are currently completely open to travelers without any Covid-19 related travel restrictions.
Here are the world’s top 10 happiest nations with an overview of 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 a Wellbeing Budget, to spend money on mental health, child poverty and supporting the Māori and Pasifika populations.
New Zealand is reopening its borders in five phases and will be completely open by October 2022 for people with visitor visas to enter. Just in time for summer in the southern hemisphere.
9th place-Israel-Open, with testing
Israel has one of the lowest rates of diet-related deaths and during the pandemic, was one of the first countries to vaccinate the majority of its population. Conde Nast reported on how Israel completely reopened to international travelers (after a few false starts) on 1 March 2022, regardless of vaccine status, but there is still testing in place.
From 6 May onwards, many flight routes are opening up or being reinstated, particularly from U.S. cities, such as that from American Airlines from Dallas/Fort Worth non-stop to Ben Gurion. El Al is also reinstating its Boston to Ben Gurion non-stop route, which was removed from schedules in March 2020.
8th place-Norway–Completely 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 one of the key attributes for making 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!”
7th place–Sweden-Completely Open
Sweden had the highest number of Covid-19 related deaths of all the Nordic countries, as reported by CNN Traveler, but the reason for consistently appearing in the top 10 of happiest countries is that it has a high GDP per capita. 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 free child care.
On 1 April 2022, the Swedish government lifted the entry ban to non-EU/EEA countries meaning too that the rule needing to show negative Covid-19 tests or vaccination certificates has been scrapped.
6th place–Luxembourg
Luxembourg has a tiny population who benefit from a strong welfare system which places a large emphasis on work-life balance and looks after its people well in retirement.
Luxembourg recently extended its existing travel restrictions until the end of June (except for Ukrainian nationals), meaning that visitors from outside the EU/Schengen area must show vaccination status and in some cases, negative test results.
5th place–Netherlands
A study conducted by UNICEF found that Dutch children are some of the happiest in the world and many have breakfast with their parents each morning (which is taken as an indicator of a happy society). The Dutch have kept the same levels of happiness apparently since 2005.
There is still an entry ban in place to the Netherlands from countries outside the EU/EEA/Schengen area although there are some exceptions, e.g. if traveling from a country on the EU-safe list.
4th place–Switzerland
Switzerland operates a system of direct democracy where residents vote on everything several times a year through referendums, including how many holiday days should be mandatory to immigration. This makes for a happy, inclusive society. And then there’s the chocolate.
Switzerland still has some travel restrictions in place but is open to fully-vaccinated travelers.
The 3rd happiest–Iceland-Completely Open
Iceland is famously breathtaking, with a small population, and an abundance of natural resources to prop up the economy. The Happiness Index found that many locals felt like they had someone else to turn to, in times of need, a situation which was particularly tested during the 2007 financial collapse.
Since Friday 25 February, Icelandic borders have been completely open to travelers without the need to show vaccination status, test results or to quarantine.
The 2nd happiest–Denmark–Completely Open
Copenhagen has its own Happiness Institute, and has remained at number two. It is big on renewable energy and all of the metrics that make a happy society such as a long life expectancy, etc.
Since 29 March 2022, Denmark has lifted all travel restrictions. However, the requirement to show vaccination status may still be required when boarding aircraft, as per the government’s guidelines.
The happiest country–Finland
Finland has been number one for 5 years due in no small part to its highly esteemed education system. As noted by CNN Traveler, a love of wild, cold swimming might also play a part.
There are no current travel restrictions into Finland for anyone arriving from inside the EU/Schengen area nor those countries currently on the EU safe-list for travel. Under current guidelines running until 8 May 2022, travelers from all other countries must be vaccinated or show an EU Digital Covid Certificate.
Incidentally, Afghanistan ranked as the unhappiest country in the world, with Lebanon, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Botswana in the bottom five. Ironically too, as mentioned by Forbes, Finland, the happiest country shares a border with Russia, which came in at 80th place.
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April 17, 2022 at 06:04PM
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4 Of The World's Happiest Countries Have Scrapped Covid-19 Travel Restrictions - Forbes
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