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Abstract: 

Finland has the reputation of being the “happiest country in the world,” according to the World Happiness Report, an annual survey that ranks countries based on how happy their citizens perceive their lives. The Happiness Report analyzes the impact on happiness of various factors worldwide (e.g., age, social/urban/natural environments, and technology) in an effort to encourage governments to prioritize residents’ well-being in public policies. Finland’s stellar happiness ranking is primarily due to several factors, including its extensive welfare system with its strong social safety net, high levels of trust in government and institutions, a focus on work-life balance that prioritizes time off and leisure activities, strong sense of community, and emphasis on easy access to nature and outdoor activities. Finland is also known for its remarkable record on gender equality. It has been named the second-best country to be a girl and the second-best country for mothers’ wellbeing. Yet, Finland’s happiness score and gender equality reputation contrast sharply with its status as the European Union’s second most dangerous country for women. Only Danish women experience more abuse out of the 28 countries studied. Experts have named this phenomenon “the Nordic paradox of intimate partner violence” and in this article, Kelly Weisberg examines the phenomenon and its likely causes.

Keywords: Nordic Paradox; Intimate Partner Violence in Finland

Affiliations:  1: Editor.