Helsinki – Harsh economic headwinds are sending a chill through the world's happiest country. But after 1,000 days of unemployment, 33-year-old Juho-Pekka Palomaa hasn't let Finland's problems get him down just yet.

Finland is grappling with economic stagnation, rising joblessness and strained public finances, but still managed to secure the title of world's happiest country for the eighth year in a row in this year's annual World Happiness Report.

Its success, experts say, is due in no small part to a generous welfare state – but that is now being trimmed back as ministers confront the surging social costs of an aging population.

“I've been grateful that in Finland there has been a safety net and social security that have supported me financially. So maybe I'm not more unhappy than I was before,” said Palomaa, who marked his 1,000 days of unemployment with a bring-your-own-food protest on the steps of parliament.

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