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Are Cypriots The Most Life-Satisfied In The EU? A Closer Look At Happiness Across Europe

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 23, 2025

As life satisfaction levels fluctuate across Europe, Cyprus stands out with a notable increase in its citizens’ happiness scores. With a rise from 6.2 to 7.5 over the past decade, Cypriots are now among the happiest in the European Union. But are they the most satisfied? This article takes a closer look at the countries leading the life satisfaction rankings, including the surprising trends in Cyprus and Greece, as well as the challenges faced by traditionally high-ranking nations like Denmark and Sweden.

Happiest Countries In The EU

Finland leads the pack with a score of 7.8, followed by Belgium, Austria, Romania, and Slovenia, each with a score of 7.7. These countries consistently top the life satisfaction rankings, with strong social welfare systems, high-quality healthcare, and good work-life balance contributing to their citizens’ well-being.

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Countries With Declining Satisfaction

Denmark and Sweden, historically known for their high levels of happiness, have seen noticeable drops in satisfaction. Denmark’s score decreased from 8.0 to 7.5, and Sweden dropped from 7.9 to 7.5 over the past decade, reflecting growing concerns about societal pressures and changing economic conditions.

Countries With Rising Satisfaction

In contrast, Cyprus and Greece stand out for their improvements in life satisfaction. Cyprus has made a remarkable jump, increasing from 6.2 to 7.5, while Greece has risen from 6.2 to 6.9. This uptick can be attributed to economic recovery and an improvement in quality of life over recent years.

The Least Satisfied: Bulgaria

Bulgaria ranks at the bottom of the list with a score of 5.9, making it the least happy country in the EU. However, even Bulgaria has seen some improvement, increasing from 4.8 to 5.9 in the past decade.

While the life satisfaction survey focused on a simple 0-10 scale, the EU is working towards a more nuanced definition of happiness, moving beyond GDP measures. The European Commission has identified “8+1” criteria to better define the quality of life, which includes material living conditions, employment quality, health, education, leisure, social interactions, safety, governance, and the overall life experience.

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FinTech’s Dominance In MENA: Three Strategic Drivers Behind Unyielding VC Success

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 11, 2025

Despite facing tightening global liquidity and macroeconomic headwinds, the FinTech sector continues to assert its leadership in the MENA region. In the first half of 2025, FinTech emerged as the most resilient and appealing arena for venture capital investments, proving its worth as a catalyst for financial innovation and inclusion.

Addressing Structural Financial Gaps

In many parts of MENA, a significant proportion of the population remains underbanked and underserved by traditional financial institutions. FinTech companies are uniquely positioned to address these persistent challenges by bridging critical access gaps and driving financial inclusion. With the proliferation of payment apps, digital wallets, and micro-lending platforms, investors have witnessed firsthand how these solutions pave the way for scalable growth and eventual exits. Early-stage momentum in the region is underscored by a doubling of pre-seed deals year-over-year, reinforcing the sector’s capacity for rapid innovation and sustainable expansion.

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Highly Scalable and Replicable Business Models

One of the key factors behind FinTech’s dominance is the inherent scalability of its business models. Once the necessary infrastructure and regulatory approvals are in place, these models have demonstrated robust performance across borders. The first half of 2025 saw a marked acceleration in deal activity, with payment solutions leading the charge with 28 deals in MENA—a significant increase over the previous year. Lending platforms, in particular, experienced a meteoric 500% year-over-year increase in funding, emerging as the fastest-growing subindustry. Such replicability makes FinTech an attractive proposition for investors seeking high-growth opportunities in diverse markets.

Supportive Regulatory And Government Backing

The strategic support offered by key government initiatives in the UAE and Saudi Arabia has been instrumental in propelling the FinTech sector forward. Progressive frameworks, such as the UAE’s open finance and digital asset directives, coupled with Saudi Arabia’s live-testing sandboxes, have materially lowered entry barriers for startups. These measures not only foster innovation but also streamline the path to commercialization. Consequently, the combined efforts of these regulatory bodies have enabled the UAE and Saudi Arabia to account for 86% of MENA’s total FinTech funding in H1 2025.

The resilience of FinTech in MENA is not merely a reflection of contemporary market trends—it signals a fundamental shift in the region’s economic fabric. With an unwavering commitment to addressing real financial challenges, scalable and replicable business practices, and robust regulatory support, FinTech is setting the benchmark for sustainable innovation. As capital markets become increasingly discerning, this sector stands out as a beacon of long-term growth and transformative impact.