Life Satisfaction in Denmark

Are you feeling blue? Probably you stay in the wrong country. A recent research from Britain's University of Leicester examined a range of statistical data from extensive sources like UNESCO, CIA, the New Economics Foundation, WHO, etc plus the subjective responses of 80,000 people worldwide, to map out well-being across 178 countries in order to find the world's happiest nations ranking.

You guess what? Denmark is the happiest country to live in the world! Denmark and five other European countries, including Switzerland, Austria, and Iceland, came out in the top 10, while Zimbabwe and Burundi pulled up the bottom.

So, what about US? You know what, The United States which is the world's richest nation ranked 16th among 178 countries, while Britain was placed 21st. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe, with its continuing political crisis and soaring inflation, unsurprisingly ranked 177th and Burundi at the 178th.

It is not surprising that the happiest countries are those that are healthy, wealthy, and wise. Beside that, population size also plays an important role. Smaller countries with greater social cohesion and a stronger sense of national identity tended to better score, while those with the largest populations fared worse. China came in No. 82, India ranked 125, and Russia was 167. The U.S. came in at 23.

The list is at the following (satisfaction with life index):
1. Denmark
2. Switzerland
3. Austria
4. Iceland
5. Bahamas
6. Finland
7. Sweden
8. Bhutan
9. Brunei Darussalam
10. Canada
11. Ireland
12. Luxembourg
13. Costa Rica
14. Malta
15. The Netherlands
16. Antigua and Barbuda
17. Malaysia
18. New Zealand
19. Norway
20. Seychelles

The other are :
23. The United States
26. Australy
35. Germany
41. United Kingdom
53. Singapore
64. Indonesia
76. Thailand
82. China
90. Japan
102. South Korea
125. India
176. Congo Republic
177. Zimbabwe
178. Burundi.

So, why must Denmark?
Based on the research, Danishes are so happy since they always feel enough in everything, what we say it - Contentment. Although Denmark is not as rich as United States or Japan, don’t have super luxurious cars or houses, but they always be grateful for what they have. They prefer walk on foot or by bicycle for they can feel more relax, and can breathe fresh air. Because of that, they don’t have to think about having an expensive car, arrange the monthly installment, the maintenance, the fuel, or get stuck in the middle of traffic jam. Bicycling is fun!

They also look for better life, success and wealthy, but they still put priority to their lives, families and friends. Education, Health care, and child care are free. The government provides a bare-bones pension.

The Danishes tend to have low expectations. They try something out, but never expect extraordinary success. With just a little success, it can make them happy, and if they fail, they tend to accept their failure and start retrying. Just it!

"Happiness is as a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp. But which if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you" (Nathaniel Hawthorne).