What would make you happy? Maybe a project that would benefit communities such as more green open spaces or maybe your government creating more public holidays or even cheap beer provided by subsidized bars!
A new report has recently been released by the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development) to determine which country is the happiest in the world.
The OECD used data collated from a Gallup World Poll which was conducted last year in 140 countries across the world. The poll focussed on four key areas; satisfaction with present life, predicted satisfaction with future life, 2009 GDP and unemployment rate. Their results are interesting, with some notable countries missing from the list:
10. Belgium
9. Norway
8. New Zealand
7. Switzerland
6. Canada
5. Ireland
4. Sweden
3. Netherlands
2. Finland
1. Denmark
Denmark is famous for the writer Hans Christian Andersen who penned fairy tales such as The Little Mermaid and The Emperor’s New Clothes, Carlsberg beer, Lego, the Roskilde Festival, 90s singers Whigfield and Aqua and the dish frikadeller (meatballs) and of course the Danish pastry!
Let us know what you think – what happiness factors do you consider make a country truly happy? Leave your comments below…
By Julie Bowman
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Curious to know those countries are all located in Europe except New Zealand. If happy is determined by infrastructures and individual housing then for sure countries in Africa, Asia and South America will not appear on the list.
Brgds,
Ng Sebastian
I know some parts of Quebec might seem European, but last I checked, Canada wasn’t technically considered Europe.
Nice to see Belgium make the list. I’m sure their fantastic beer has something to do with their happiness!
Weather, for sure! That’s why the UK (my homeland) isn’t in this list! I would love to live somewhere I could have a more outdoorsy life, and get back to nature more often, but that surely isn’t here.. although we are experiencing a heatwave this week! It would appear Scandinavia is full of very happy people, and I can vouch for that; I have friends who are Swedes and are eternally happy; they surf and sunbathe in summer and ski in winter… can’t be bad!
Regarding Happy Denmark and Scandinavian countries:
A big part of this “hapiness” is the fact that the Scandinavian countries have adopted a welfare system that enables everyone to share the “wealth” and provide the state (through heavy taxes) with money to cover social benefits and attend to people’s needs. On the other hand it somehow takes away responsibility from people (as; why worry, we are being taken care off….), therefore this so called “apparent” hapiness. It also makes the society a bit complacent.
It has a positive and a negative side and it all comes down to what choices each individual makes in life.
Nevertheless, I have to say that it has far more positive sides than negative sides, as if you have higher goals (personal or professional) and are willing to work hard (getting out of complacency “space”) you will have all the tools and support available to suceed and therefore contibute to a healthier social and professional enviroment.
In that note: I am definitely very happy living in Denmark.
Denmark? would of never guessed. Been to Denmark, not just the lifestyle is relaxed but everyone seem friendly, This makes a difference to any place. Thumbs up for Denmark!