Article categories: News
Vaasa resident, how happy are you?
Published: 24.10.2025
The City of Vaasa has been studying residents’ happiness since 2020. Last year, more than 2,000 people took part in the survey. The survey results are analysed by ‘happiness professor’ Markku Ojanen.
Year after year, the survey that encourages reflection on personal happiness has reached an increasing number of Vaasa residents. In 2020, 478 people responded to the first happiness survey, and last year the number had grown to 2,306. Happiness receives widespread attention each spring when the UN publishes its global happiness report. Finland has held the number one spot for eight years.
Each autumn, Vaasa conducts a survey to determine how happy the city’s residents are. ‘Happiness professor’ Markku Ojanen believes that the results of five years of surveys provide a good overall picture:
– Vaasa has already received nearly 6,000 responses to its extensive survey on happiness, wellbeing and services. The surveys have been conducted online, as is increasingly common today. Online surveys may not be fully representative, but they have consistently provided a broad view of the experiences of Vaasa residents of all ages.
A brief pause to think about your happiness
The City of Vaasa’s strategy aims to promote the happiness of all residents, and the survey is actively used to guide the development of services. In addition to assessing their own happiness, respondents are also asked to evaluate the city’s services.
– Being named the world’s happiest city is not the main goal; what counts is taking steps so that as many Vaasa residents as possible can enjoy moments of happiness – and sharing our learnings with others, says Mayor Tomas Häyry.
It takes around 15 minutes to complete the survey. Respondents can enter a prize draw, with the main prize being a weekend stay at a hotel in Vaasa, along with two tickets to either Vaasa City Theatre or a Vaasan Sport ice hockey match. However, all respondents are rewarded instantly with the chance to pause and reflect on their own happiness through the survey.
The city encourages residents to take small actions
Happiness has been one of Vaasa’s strategic themes for over five years. Over this period, the city has highlighted happiness to residents in a variety of ways. The recurring message each year is the significance of small actions. It is also important to look after those who are facing difficulties in life and for whom happiness seems out of reach. A simple act of kindness can mean a great deal to someone else, and doing good deeds also boosts your own happiness.
– At the beginning of this year, every Vaasa resident received a postcard inviting them to make this a year of acts of happiness. The tips were simple: take time for yourself, talk to someone new, travel more sustainably, or volunteer for a good cause, says Leena Forsén, Director of Communications and Marketing.
These same themes have also appeared in the responses to the happiness survey.
Background and information about the survey:
The survey will be conducted as an open online survey from 27 October to 23 November 2025, in Finnish, Swedish and English. As the survey will be conducted online, it is not based on a random sample. You can also complete the survey using a paper form, which is available at libraries, Citizen Services, Vähäkyrö House, Vuorikeskus and the Pensioners’ Activity Centre.
The responses will be analysed by Professor Emeritus Markku Ojanen, who specialises in the study of happiness.