The World Happiness Day or the International Day of Happiness is celebrated every year on March 20, focusing on spreading joy, positivity, and love. This day reminds us to appreciate the small things in life, stay positive, and share happiness with others. The day was first introduced in 2012 by the United Nations, after Bhutan, a country that values Gross National Happiness (GNH) over Gross Domestic Product (GDP), pushed for the idea. Since then, March 20 has been recognized as the International Day of Happiness.
The day is a reminder of the importance of joy and encourages people to focus on what really matters—building positive relationships, taking care of mental health, staying connected with others, and improving overall well-being.
The United Nations created this global observance to emphasize the need for a more inclusive, fair, and sustainable approach to economic growth—one that values happiness and well-being alongside financial success. The concept of a global happiness day originated in Bhutan, a country known for prioritizing Gross National Happiness (GNH) over Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Bhutan has promoted a balanced approach to progress, considering economic, cultural, social, and environmental well-being. In 2012, the UN officially recognized March 20 as the International Day of Happiness, inspired by Bhutan’s example. The first celebration was held in 2013, encouraging countries to focus on policies that improve quality of life.
World Happiness Day is not just a celebration—it’s a movement aimed at creating a better, more compassionate world. By prioritizing mental health, social connections, and sustainability, we can work towards making happiness a right for everyone, rather than a luxury for a few.
Why is it important
In an era of economic challenges, climate change, and social inequalities, World Happiness Day calls on individuals, governments, and organizations to prioritize mental health, well-being, and human connection. The annual World Happiness Report, published by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, ranks countries based on factors like social support, life expectancy, income, freedom, generosity, and corruption. Nordic countries such as Finland, Denmark, and Iceland consistently lead the rankings due to their strong social systems, work-life balance, and trust in government.
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