Inside the world’s ‘happiest’ country for people under 30 – as residents share what it’s really like to live there

A revealing documentary delves into what is considered the happiest country to live in for people under 30.

Ammar Kandil and Staffan Taylor, from the YouTube channel Yes Theory went to Lithuania for a 50-hour experiment to investigate whether young people are really as happy as research shows.

The World Happiness Report, published by the United Nations in March, found that Lithuania has the happiest population group under 30.

The report asked people in 140 countries to rate their happiness on a scale of one to ten, with ten being very happy and zero being very unhappy.

The results are based on data from people who reported how happy they were over a three-year period.

Ammar Kandil and Staffan Taylor from the YouTube channel Yes Theory traveled to Lithuania for a 50-hour experiment to investigate whether young people are really as happy as research shows.

Upon arrival in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, Amma and Staffan get to work talking to the locals.

Most of the young people they speak to agree that Lithuania is a good place for young people, citing ‘good food’, ‘friendly people’, ‘lots of career opportunities’ and a ‘growing economy’ as reasons.

Many of them emphasize that the hardships their ancestors endured also taught them to enjoy every moment and “see beauty in the simple things.”

The film’s narrator provides some background information on Lithuania’s turbulent past, explaining: ‘For most of the 19th century, Lithuania was under Russian rule.

‘Under this regime, their culture, language and religion were all suppressed. Throughout the 20th century and the World Wars, Lithuania fought for independence, but was constantly placed under Soviet rule.

‘It wasn’t until March 11, 1990 that they finally declared full independence, making them the first Soviet republic to do so.’

To get more young people talking about life in Lithuania, the Yes Theory team is organizing a meetup event that they will promote on Instagram.

During the event, people from the audience take turns exchanging their opinions.

The World Happiness Report, published by the United Nations in March, found that Lithuania has the happiest population group under 30.

Upon arrival in Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius, Amma and Staffan get to work and talk to the locals

A young man says: ‘After living in America for a year, I started to appreciate the connection with nature in Lithuania.

You can [easily] ‘Go to a lake, go to a beautiful forest.’

Another woman in the audience says that Lithuania “was never as good as it is now,” but points out that “we all realize that we can lose this very quickly, just like Ukraine lost it.”

A man takes a more neutral view of the topic of happiness and tells the YouTubers: ‘Imagine that the suicide rate in Lithuania, especially among young people, is quite high.

‘Would that also be the case in the happiest country in the world?

‘Yes, we are very happy here as young people, but we still have problems. That is why I choose neutrality at the moment.’

After the meeting, Ammar and Staffan spend the rest of their trip with locals. Some of the places they visit include a former prison (Lukiškės Prison) – which has been converted into a cultural center – and the mysterious Hill of Crosses monument.

At the end of their holiday in Lithuania, the duo notice that their happiness has gone.

A local woman says: ‘Lithuania was never as good as it is now.’ But she points out that ‘we all realise that we can lose this very quickly, just like Ukraine lost it.’

After the meeting, Ammar and Staffan spend the rest of their trip hanging out with the locals

Ammar, who has traveled extensively around the world, tells viewers as he attends a party in the evening: ‘This is one of the happiest travel experiences I’ve ever had’

Ammar, who has traveled extensively around the world, tells viewers at a party one night: “This is one of the happiest travel experiences I’ve ever had.”

Steffan agrees with his sentiments and says: ‘Lithuania is absolutely one of the most open, generous and friendly countries I have ever been to.’

So far, their video has been viewed more than 700,000 times and many viewers agree with the World Happiness Report’s findings.

One commenter wrote: ‘I did my exchange semester in Vilnius and it was the happiest time of my life. Thank you Lithuania for inviting me.’

Another viewer said: ‘As a Lithuanian and youth worker, my heart becomes happy when I watch this video.

‘This video captures the essence of our country’s spirit and transformation: how the love, creativity and kindness of our generation can lift us out of the dark past, transform negativity into light and make everyone feel understood, loved and accepted.’

Data from the World Happiness Report shows that Finland is the happiest country in the world for the seventh year in a row, scoring 7.7 out of 10.

The Scandinavian countries Denmark, Iceland and Sweden took second, third and fourth place with scores of 7.6, 7.5 and 7.3.

A global ranking by age category found that Lithuania has the happiest people under 30.