The Happiest Countries in the World

Denmark was recently crowned to be the happiest country in the world based on a recent United Nations study. Denmark is followed by Norway at 2nd place. Ranking in 3rd is Switzerland and then the Netherlands is at 4th place followed by Sweden. In this second run of the United Nations World Happiness Report, the nations ranked 6th to 10th happiest countries in the world are Canada (6th), Finland (7th), Austria (8th), Iceland (9th), and Australia (10th). The United States ranked 17th while the United Kingdom is ranked 22nd.

UN Happiness Survey

Based on the 2012 UN happiness report, a 0.5% increase in overall scores was not significant. Still, 60 counties are happier with higher scores while 41 countries are less happy. On the other extreme, Benin, Burundi, the Central African Republic, Rwanda, and Togo are the saddest countries today.

The survey was completed between 2010 and 2012 and the survey used a self-reported evaluation form. Measuring the degree of happiness of one country can be determined by looking into a number of factors such as corruption in government and life expectancy and this is what the study proponents tried to do. The study took into consideration both the peoples’ current mood and overall life satisfaction. The main purpose of conducting such study is to urge policy makers in different countries to prioritize happiness as a primary factor for development.

Holding the ranks

Many believe that staying positive greatly contributes not only to a person’s well-being but also the status of progress of a whole nation. Happiness is seen as a primary booster that helps successfully achieve a goal or a target with optimum accuracy and good results.

Factors affecting happiness scores

The United Nations study determined six factors that affect a person’s well-being. These are life expectancy, per capita GDP, having someone to count on, generosity, freedom to make life choices, and freedom from corruption. The study subjected over 130 countries and more than half turned out positive with happiness levels pushing forward. One of the most prominent factors that unexpected countries like Albania, Ecuador and Angola is the increase in life satisfaction. Other countries such as those in Latin America greatly improved in terms of becoming happier.

We live in a happy world

Despite the ongoing disputes between nations and various groups, happiness is found to be steadily increasing in the whole world. People who are happy are expected to become more productive in life, become better citizens and live life to the fullest. This is particularly evident in Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa.

Studies done by the United Nations show that people around the world are becoming happier in the past half decade. In a statement given by John Helliwell, an economics professor at the University of British Columbia, he said that “Life is getting better in unsung ways in many places – enough so that the world is slowly becoming a happier place.” Helliwell’s statement was driven from observing countries such as South Korea, Bhutan and the United Kingdom. These nations are placing greater focus on the improvement of life satisfaction rather than building up their respective GDPs.

Reports generated from this study are intended to urge policy makers all over the world to consider happiness as a primary factor in terms of development. The study solidly derives proofs that people who are happy tend to live longer, have more earnings, become more productive and most of all turns out to be better citizens.

Caption: Happiness