New Report: Top 10 Happiest Countries in the World
Denmark still tops the world in overall happiness, according to a new report by the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development.
In fact, the only countries on the list that aren’t in Northern Europe were Canada and New Zealand. Some other trends about the list: all of the countries listed were social democracies, and most of them pay the highest taxes in the world.
Here’s how the rankings ended up:
10. Belgium
9. Norway
8. New Zealand
7. Switzerland
6. Canada
5. Ireland
4. Sweden
3. The Netherlands
2. Finland
1. Denmark
Aspiring expats are doubtfully enthusiastic about those higher taxes and high cost of living, but those smiles are contagious and impossible to argue with. Naturally, these countries are also consistent in having longer life expectancies and higher GDP per capita, even despite the global economic crisis. That’s not so bad either.
The poll, which was given to people in 140 countries around the world, looked at subjective well-being, defined as life satisfaction. Did people feel like their lives were dominated by positive experiences and feelings, or negative ones?
You can watch a more in depth slideshow of the poll results at Forbes.com.
This is such an interesting list, because there are no Latin American countries on there at all. Not that I mind, but about 3 years ago, Columbia was #2 and Costa Rica #3. Now they are no where there.
However, I bet there are a bunch of these types of lists being made:)
Can’t help it, my Canadian pride is beaming. Being America’s neighbor, we are always in their shadow, so when we make a list, we Canadians relish in it! Thanks.
There are many list like this, all based on different criteria. Interesting to note that the richest nations are rarely at the top of any of them.
In 2006 Malta (my current choice of residence) came top in one of these lists. http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4590000/newsid_4595000/4595024.stm
It’s funny how from one year to another, this list changed so much. #1 the last time was Vanuatu and Costa Rica was up there as well. Why the big change? Did those other countries get that much happier in the last couple of years? Either way, I know costa rica is a happy place, that’s where I chose to call home.
Hey Chris!
I call this place home too:) And it is really happy:)
Judging by the personal accounts, I have to agree, Costa Rica must be a very happy place 🙂
I think reports like this shift often, depending on the poll you choose to believe. Though it’s also a possibility that the countries on this list were hit less hard by the global economic crisis than places like Costa Rica or Vanuatu, etc.
In the end though, everywhere is as happy as you choose to make it, right?
mexico isnt in here?
they might be poor but they are friendly and happy