THE MUSTS

World

I feel bad for a while, but then I just smile…

 Do you consider yourself happy?

 This is probably a difficult question to answer. Not out of pessimism, but because happiness seems to be something very broad and subjective.

Even so, “being happy” is one of the concepts we most often use to refer to our well-being and positive emotions and moments. What's more, it's placed by many as a goal in life. But how do we measure happiness?

• To try to compare happiness between different countries, a report by major institutions - including Oxford and Gallup - defines some criteria to quantify the average happiness of the population on an annual basis, although it always takes into account data from 3 years ago to avoid bias.

This year's edition came out last week. The researchers use data from interviews with around 1,000 respondents per country, in which they analyze their current life on a scale of 0 to 10.

In addition, they use variables based on six criteria: (i) per capita income, (ii) healthy life expectancy, (iii) social support, (iv) generosity, (v) freedom and (vi) perception of corruption.

The method also includes a reference index that the research calls “Dystopia”, which determines a margin of error for each indicator.

The ranking

To no one's surprise, the Nordic countries occupied a large part of the top positions in the world happiness ranking.

• Finland was once again the big “happiness country”, followed by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and the Netherlands.

• The only countries from the Americas to appear in the TOP-10 are Costa Rica (6th) and Mexico (10th).

• The first country from a continent other than Europe and America to appear is the United Arab Emirates (21st).

• The US fell to 24th and, for the first time in 20 years, was left out of the TOP-20, the worst position in the country's history.

• At the bottom are Lebanon, Sierra Leone and, isolated at the bottom, Afghanistan. In all, the ranking evaluates 147 countries.

But the report goes far beyond the ranking... This year, the study sought to understand people's happiness and behavior - and its variations by country - based on the benefits of those who give and those who receive help and care.

The report itself highlights the points that were most striking when analyzing people's behavior as a whole:

1. People are very pessimistic about the benevolence of others. For example, when wallets were thrown into the street by researchers, the proportion of wallets returned was much higher than people expected. This is extremely encouraging!

2. Our well-being depends on our perceptions of the benevolence of others, as well as their actual benevolence. As we underestimate the kindness of others, our well-being can be improved by receiving information about their true benevolence.

3. When society is more benevolent, the people who benefit most are those who are less happy. As a result, happiness is more equally distributed in countries with higher levels of expected benevolence.

4. Benevolence has increased during COVID-19 in all regions of the world. People needed more help and others responded. This “increase in benevolence” has been sustained ever since. Despite a drop from 2023 to 2024, benevolent acts are still around 10% above their pre-pandemic levels.

   The conclusion, quickly drawn, was that benevolence also brings benefits to those who care and share. This works best if (i) the motivation is to help others rather than feel good, (ii) the act is voluntary and (iii) it has an obvious positive impact on the beneficiary.

   There are literally dozens of other points and aspects cited in the report which I’ve found really interesting, as well as detailing the statistical method used. Click here if you want to read more.

What else in on

• Italy: Demographic crisis worsens as births hit record low. Ever-falling birth rate is considered now a national emergency. (Read)

• Iran: Representatives of the United States and Iran met in Oman to begin a new nuclear agreement aimed at avoiding conflicts in the Middle East. (Read)

• China: The country can now cut off the internet to entire regions, after unveiling a tool capable of cutting fortified submarine cables at record depths - which could change the dynamics of power at sea. (Read)

• Ecuador: Daniel Noboa, Ecuador's current right-wing head of state, was re-elected after defeating Luisa González in the second round of the country's presidential elections. (Read)

• Philippines: With only 17% tariffs compared to Vietnam’s 46% and China’s 104%, the Philippines emerged as a manufacturing haven. Companies from Vietnam, Taiwan, and China rushed to explore production shifts to capitalize on lower rates. (Read)

• Egypt: The country has decided to solve its urban problems with an ambitious solution: create cities from scratch in the middle of the desert. There are already more than 40, including a new capital with monumental buildings. But there's a curious detail: hardly anyone lives there. (Read)

• USA: With a shortage of labor for low-paying jobs, the government of Florida is betting on reducing restrictions on child labor. Yep. Since the state has tightened laws against undocumented immigrants, Governor Ron DeSantis argues that teenagers could “replace the ‘very cheap’ labor force of immigrants”. (Read)
  

 Mariana Froes: After she went viral on TikTok with her song "Vaitimbora", she instantly grabbed my attention. Lately, I’ve been listening to more Brazilian music — especially while I’m working — and Mariana’s powerful voice, poetic lyrics, and calm-yet-commanding presence made me an instant fan.

• Her music lives in that beautiful space between the past and the present — samba, bossa nova, and jazz meeting soft synths, whispery vocals, and cinematic production. Tracks like "15b", "Gabriela", and "Eu" are perfect for the beginning of spring (like the one we’re having here in Europe). There’s something timeless and deeply emotional about her sound — like she’s singing straight to your soul, but without ever raising her voice.

But what makes Mariana Froes feel especially exciting right now is how she represents something bigger: Brazil is having a global moment. From Anitta lighting up the VMAs to Alok topping EDM charts, to Marina Sena, BK’, and now Froes — Brazilian artists are showing up and Froes is undeniably part of this movement.

If you’re looking for something that lets you vibe while still stirring something deeper inside, she’s the perfect soundtrack. So if you haven’t yet, take a deep breath, hit play on "Rosa e Laranja", and let yourself be carried away. (Rating 8/10)

Today I want to talk about something personal — a trait of mine that’s rubbed some people the wrong way. Recently, I heard someone described me as someone who “thinks too highly of himself.” Me. Please. Wouldn’t you think highly of yourself if you looked like this? (Kidding…)

• Last week, a good friend said, “Can I give you a compliment?” I lit up and replied, “Of course you can. Maybe even two… Can I record it?” — joking, of course. But anyone who knows me in real life knows this: I love a good compliment. I don’t pretend to be humble about it. And yes, that can make people uncomfortable.

I’ve been told I have a big ego. That I think I’m better than others. But in my view, there’s a big difference between confidence and arrogance — between celebrating yourself and putting others down.

We’re often taught that humility is a virtue. And somewhere along the way, we start asking: “Who am I to be brilliant, beautiful, talented, fabulous?” But really… who are you not to be?

If you believe in God, then you are a child of God. If you believe in the universe, you’re part of something vast and incredible. And playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s no nobility in shrinking so others won’t feel insecure around you.

Let me say it again: there’s no kindness in making yourself smaller. Remember that.

With love,
Micael.

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