Danish people are famous for being the happiest in the world, and you might wonder why. Well, it turns out that their genes, the tiny units of information in their bodies, also have a role in their happiness.

And yes, genes can influence the level of happiness we have. It may sound surprising, but the similarity of our genes within a group greatly impacts our overall well-being. It makes such groups of people or even societies feel like one big, harmonious family. Niels Tommerup, a professor at the University of Copenhagen's Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, mentions the connection between genetic closeness and well-being.

Now, what's his insight? Tommerup's research suggests that the more similar the genes within a population, the happier and more trusting that population becomes. Danish genes are remarkably similar because Danes historically haven't moved around much. So, contentment is practically in their DNA.

Furthermore, scientists highlight one specific gene called the 5-HTT gene. It is also known as the serotonin-transporter gene. Serotonin acts as the VIP pass for happiness in our brains, but to effectively utilize it, this gene is necessary. The more long-form 5-HTT you have in your brain, the better your mood. And, as you’ve probably already guessed, Danes have some of the highest levels of this gene.

A study from the University of Warwick revealed that countries with genes significantly different from Denmark tend to report lower levels of well-being. In simple terms, the closer a country's genetic makeup is to Denmark's, the happier its people are.