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Emotionally intelligent singles do exist — just maybe not in this country.
According to information from Dating.com acquired by PR Newswire, the US doesn’t make the cut for the “Top 10 Emotionally Intelligent Countries in the World.”
It might be of little surprise that Finland snagged the top ranking on the list. Having also clinched the top spot on the World Happiness Report for eight consecutive years, the country boasts a strong healthcare infrastructure and supportive social programs.
Mental health pros for Fins are in plentiful supply, with 24 psychiatrists per 100,000 inhabitants. Natural mental health aids are also in abundance for the people of Finland, with daily life including walks in the woods, weekly dips into saunas and outdoor activities like skiing, hiking and sailing.
The second-best destination to find a compassionate, mature partner is Iceland. With the same number as Finland of psychiatrists per 100,000 residents — 24 — mental health needs are more likely to be met. Although the average cost of therapy is 140 euros (equating to around $160 USD), Icelanders’ core value of strong social support makes the price worth it to many.
With its low suicide rate — 8.34 for every 100K residents — along with strong community social ties that place a high value on emotional health, Ireland takes the third place spot.
Switzerland ranks at number four, boasting a whopping 52 psychiatrists per 100K residents — nearly double that of even the best-ranking emotionally intelligent countries on this list. While therapy costs are on the high side — 150 euros (or around $175 USD), it’s clear that Swiss residents place trust and value in their healthcare system.
The United Kingdom rounds out the top five of emotionally intelligent countries, sharing a widespread awareness of public mental health.
Norway, Germany, France, Slovenia and Sweden round out the rest of the top 10 rankings of emotionally intelligent countries.
Unfortunately, the United States ranks at 26, with Mexico coming in last at 31.
The criteria for this list were averaging seven key indicators, each related to mental health infrastructure and social well-being: number of psychiatrists per 100,000 inhabitants, volunteerism and community engagement, suicide rates per 100,000 people, mental health spending, private therapy session costs, social support levels and freedom of choice.
“Emotional intelligence is about empathy, self-awareness, and the ability to communicate openly,” Jaime Bronstein, LCSW and resident therapist at Dating.com, told PR Newswire. “At a time when many people are experiencing higher levels of stress, loneliness, and mental health challenges, these qualities have become even more important.”
“Approaching connections with a willingness to learn about their experiences, listening actively without judgment, and communicating with empathy can help build stronger relationships, even when people come from very different cultures,” Bronstein continued. “With the challenge of a language barrier, it’s especially important to practice compassion and sensitivity to each other’s differences.”
The top 10 most emotionally intelligent countries
- Finland
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- Norway
- Germany
- France
- Slovenia
- Sweden
