New research has shown that economic prosperity does not necessarily translate to happiness. Even though the Americans enjoy greater economic prosperity over the years, it has been found that the United States has became 5% unhappier over the past 10 years. United States came 14th on the list whereas United Kingdom came 19th. On the other hand, Norway prizes itself to be the happiest country in the world, followed by Denmark and Iceland Other countries in the top 10 for their happiness index include Canada and Australia.
So what is the reason for the United States to become unhappier despite their economic success?
Dr John Helliwell, the study’s first author noted that the problem for the US was their overbearing focus on money and insufficient emphasis on social factors.
“It’s the human things that matter. If the riches make it harder to have frequent and trustworthy relationship between people, is it worth it?
Dr Jeffrey Sachs, study co-author, also thinks that the US are becoming more and more mean spirited, with the government becoming more corrupt and selfish. Moreover, inequality is also on a rising trend.
Meik Wiking, chief executive officer of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, commented that the happiness of the Nordic countries may well be due to the sense of community as well as their understanding in the common good and collective benefits.
Here is the full list of the 10 happiest countries in the world:
1. Norway 7.54
2. Denmark 7.42
3. Iceland 7.5
4. Switzerland 7.49
5. Finland 7.47
6. Netherlands 7.38
7. Canada 7.32
8. New Zealand 7.321
9. Australia 7.28
10. Sweden 7.28
And here are the saddest countries:
• Yemen 3.59
• South Sudan 3.59
• Liberia 3.53
• Guinea 3.51
• Togo 3.49
• Rwanda 3.47
• Syria 3.46
• Tanzania 3.35
• Burundi 2.91
• Central African Republic 2.69
It is predictable that a lack of economic sufficiency leads to unhappiness. Yet, as seen by the example of US above, money does not necessarily buy us happiness.
Category(s):Happiness
Source material from Psyblog
