In the latest World Happiness Report for 2026, Finland has once again been named the happiest country in the world, with Nordic nations dominating the top spots for years. Denmark, consistently ranking in the top three, stands out not just for its overall societal contentment but also for its approach to parenting, which some experts argue could offer valuable lessons for other countries, including the United States.
Jessica Joelle Alexander, an American author and co-author of the best-selling book The Danish Way of Parenting, has spent years studying Danish child-rearing practices. In a recent interview with CBS News, she highlighted how these habits contribute to Denmark's high happiness levels and suggested that elements of them could be adapted elsewhere. "Just like Italy has great pasta and pizza and we've imported that in the rest of the world, Denmark has some great parenting practices I think we can incorporate," Alexander said.
Alexander distills the essence of Danish parenting into a simple acronym: PARENT. The 'P' stands for play, which she describes as the cornerstone of Danish child development. "The most important thing for a child here is to play," she told CBS News. "Free play is seen as so fundamental," because it fosters essential skills like empathy, negotiation, critical thinking, collaboration, and an internal locus of control.
This emphasis on unstructured play contrasts with more scheduled activities common in other cultures. In Denmark, children are encouraged to explore outdoors and engage in self-directed games, even in the country's often chilly weather. Alexander noted that this approach helps build independence from an early age, contributing to the resilience seen in Danish youth.
Moving to the 'A' in PARENT, authenticity plays a key role in how Danes communicate with their children. Alexander explained that Danish parents are remarkably honest about the world, tailoring discussions to age-appropriate levels. "I find that they're actually incredibly honest with their children, in an age-appropriate way," she said. "I think the approach here is that, if it's part of life, it should be part of education, because life is not a fairy tale."
Denmark's literary heritage, including the works of 19th-century author Hans Christian Andersen—famous for tales like The Little Mermaid—illustrates this point. Alexander shared a personal anecdote: "But the real fairy tales are actually very sad. 'The Little Mermaid,' in the real version, she dies of sadness. I read both versions to my daughter and I found she preferred the sad version. It opened up meaningful discussions." This honesty, according to Alexander, builds resilience by preparing children for life's complexities without shielding them excessively.
The 'R' represents respect, a value deeply embedded in Danish society where children are treated as equals in family discussions. Empathy, the 'E,' is nurtured through modeling and play, encouraging kids to understand others' feelings. For the 'N,' Alexander advocates "no ultimatums," preferring collaborative problem-solving over strict commands, which she says reduces power struggles and promotes mutual understanding.
Finally, the 'T' stands for togetherness, emphasizing family bonding and community support. Denmark's social fabric supports this through policies like generous parental leave, where both mothers and fathers can take up to a year off after a baby's birth. This welfare system, combined with low inequality and high societal trust, bolsters the country's top rankings in the World Happiness Report.
The report, which draws on data from sources like the U.S. market research firm Gallup and various global studies, evaluates happiness based on factors such as life satisfaction, social support, freedom, and generosity. Nordic countries excel in these areas, with Denmark scoring particularly high on trust within society. In contrast, the United States ranked 17th in the 2026 report, trailing behind nations like Mexico and Panama.
Recent research cited in the report points to emerging challenges in American wellbeing, particularly among young people. Heavy social media use has been linked to a decline in happiness for this demographic, with studies showing correlations between screen time and increased anxiety or lower life satisfaction. Alexander's insights come at a time when U.S. parents are increasingly seeking ways to counteract such trends.
Denmark's model isn't without its critics, though the provided sources focus primarily on Alexander's positive perspective. Some observers note that cultural differences, such as Denmark's homogeneous society and strong safety nets, make direct imports challenging. Nonetheless, Alexander argues that individual practices like prioritizing play and authenticity can transcend these barriers.
The World Happiness Report has been published annually since 2012 by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, using Gallup World Poll data from over 140 countries. Its findings influence policy discussions worldwide, from mental health initiatives to education reforms. For Denmark, the report underscores a long-standing cultural emphasis on hygge—a concept of coziness and contentment—that permeates daily life, including parenting.
Alexander, who has lived part-time in Denmark, first became intrigued by these practices while raising her own children. Her book, published in 2014, has sold widely and sparked conversations in parenting circles across the U.S. In the CBS News interview, she emphasized that adopting Danish habits doesn't require overhauling entire systems but starting with small changes at home.
As global happiness rankings highlight disparities, interest in Scandinavian models grows. Countries like the U.S., grappling with issues like work-life balance and youth mental health, may find inspiration in Denmark's approach. Whether through policy changes or personal adoption, the PARENT framework offers a roadmap for fostering happier families.
Looking ahead, Alexander hopes her work will encourage cross-cultural exchanges. With the 2026 report fresh in mind, discussions about importing positive practices—from pasta to parenting—continue to gain traction, potentially influencing how future generations are raised worldwide.