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| - Last Updated on October 13, 2024 by Nivedita
Quick Take
As per a social media post, India is rated 126th on the World Happiness Index, thus casting doubt on the efforts made by the Indian government. We checked the same information and found it to be false.
The Claim
On social media, a widely shared graphic from a well-known newspaper story displays the rankings of several countries based on the World Happiness Index.
The World Happiness Index, which takes into account the average level of happiness over a period of three years from 2021 to 2023, ranks India 126th out of 143 countries. For the last seven years, Finland has been in first place. Based on the suggested ranking, and at the time of Loksabha election, the post raises doubt about the government’s efforts to improve India’s standard of living.
We have discovered numerous claims circulating throughout social media platforms claiming that food can be influenced by one’s mental state and that schools can influence a child’s personality development. We thoroughly fact-checked them to make sure they were accurate.
Fact Check
What is the World Happiness Index? Is it always a reliable indicator of a nation’s level of happiness?
The United Nations World Health Report analyses the subjective well-being of individuals residing in various nations across the globe. This report was put together in collaboration with the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, Gallup, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and the WHR Editorial Board. However, producing the report is the responsibility of the WHR Editorial Board.
The World Happiness Index (WHI) is a comprehensive global measure of happiness and well-being. It is the primary metric employed to evaluate social progress and governmental policies and determine a country’s ranking among 156 countries.
The World Happiness Index was developed by Pierre Le Roy, the driving force behind GLOBECO. The World Happiness Index has been calculated since 2000. The index determines the world happiness index for each nation. It tries to capture development rather than just the country’s statistics and emphasises happiness at the local and national levels. WHI uses Gross National Happiness, or GNH, to gauge the general state of happiness in the country.
While the World Happiness Index reflects citizens’ well-being, factors such as employment rates play a crucial role in shaping these perceptions, as discussed in our analysis of the recent ILO report on unemployment in India.
GNH takes into account a wide range of factors, including education, standard of living, psychological health, life expectancy or health, freedom to make life decisions, time management, cultural diversity and resilience, community vitality, and efficient government. Although WHI provides useful data on subjective well-being, there may be some concerns regarding the validity of its interpretation. Cultural biases and limitations on sample sizes are to blame for this. Therefore, it is important to consider the World Happiness Index’s limitations when assessing a country’s degree of happiness based only on its ranking, even though it may offer valuable perspectives.
Does the 2024 World Happiness Index accurately rank India?
No, not at all. It should be made clear that happiness is a subjective concept, yet in recent times, researchers have taken a keen interest in analysing it. The World Health Index is one of the instruments that analyses happiness. The index was released on March 24, World Happiness Day, and it classified different nations according to their levels of happiness.
Although these rankings are subject to frequent fluctuations, India’s 126th position raises questions about the index’s assessment standards, given the significant steps the government has taken to ensure that its citizens live healthy and socially secure lives.
It should be emphasised that the government has implemented a number of schemes in several domains that improve the happiness and well-being of Indian citizens. The primary objectives of these projects are to enhance socioeconomic conditions as well as advance social support networks, improve healthcare facilities, and advance employment, education, and rural development.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna is a scheme that focuses on providing financial services to the unbanked population. Ayushman Bharat, a component of the National Health Mission, seeks to give economically disadvantaged families access to healthcare coverage. The goal of initiatives like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and the Mid-Day Meal Scheme is to provide schoolchildren with access to both elementary education and basic nutrition. Furthermore, rural households are guaranteed access to employment opportunities and income support through the rural development project known as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Last but not least, Startup India and the Skill India Mission support skill development and entrepreneurship. Additionally, the Indian government has prioritised reducing corruption and advancing freedom.
Finally, it is imperative to discuss India’s progress in terms of the economy and standard of living, particularly because WHI 2024 ranked India lower than Palestine and Pakistan. It is important to note that Pakistan and Palestine are dealing with distinctive challenges. While Pakistan has had considerable urban development, its rural areas still lack infrastructure, healthcare, and education, and Palestine struggles with unemployment, restricted access to basic amenities, and limitations on travel. Ultimately, this raises concerns about the basis and limitations of the index itself.
Which government initiatives are meant to improve the quality of life for Indian citizens?
The term ‘quality of life’, or QoL, describes a person’s overall state of well-being. QoL is a measure of an individual’s happiness and contentment in a range of domains, including healthcare, education, work possibilities, and leisure pursuits. It encompasses social relationships, mental and emotional states, physical health, and environmental factors. Please be aware that everyone’s definition of quality of life is distinctive and not standardised. These could be influenced by cultural circumstances, beliefs, and perceptions.
The Indian government has implemented numerous schemes to deal with this multifaceted concept. The Smart Cities Mission aims to develop sustainable, viable neighbourhoods and improve citizen living conditions through urban redevelopment. The objective of initiatives like the Labour Room and Quality Improvement Initiative, or LaQshya, is to raise the standard of maternity care. Additionally, several union government schemes focus on rural development, economic empowerment, and poverty eradication. The Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana is one such initiative that seeks to improve senior citizens’ quality of life. The Ministry of Rural Development intends to eradicate poverty and provide infrastructure in rural areas in order to foster inclusive growth.
As a result, the government’s commitment to holistic development is evident in the multitude of initiatives it has put in place to improve Indian citizens’ quality of life in the areas of social welfare, employment, housing, and education.
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