Vilnius Shines as an Attractive Hub for Young Professionals
Lithuania has claimed the prestigious title of the happiest country for young people, according to the latest World Happiness Report. The report, conducted by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, used Gallup World Poll data to evaluate subjective well-being. In the overall happiness rankings, Lithuania secured the 19th spot but soared to the first position in the under-30 category.
Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, has emerged as a magnet for young professionals seeking exciting career prospects. Ricardo Sergio Schmitz, a consultant based in Vilnius, highlighted the city’s appeal to young workers, citing abundant growth opportunities and access to better positions than in their home countries.
US Youth Struggles as Happiness Plummets
In stark contrast to Lithuania’s triumph, the United States witnessed a significant decline in happiness levels among its youth. The US tumbled in the rankings from 15th place in 2023 to 23rd in 2024, marking a worrisome trend. Particularly alarming was the country’s plunge in the under-30 category, slipping to 62nd place behind nations like Saudi Arabia and Guatemala.
Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, a professor and editor of the World Happiness Report, expressed astonishment at the US’s fall from the top 20 happiest countries. He pointed out that the well-being of young Americans had taken a nosedive, impacting the overall ranking score of the nation. However, he noted that this decline in youth happiness was not a global phenomenon but rather specific to North America, Western Europe, and the UK.
Despite Finland retaining its top position in the overall happiness rankings, there was a concerning drop in happiness levels among Finnish youth. The country ranked seventh in the under-30 category, signaling a noteworthy disparity between youth and adult happiness in Finland.