Top 5 Happiest Countries in the World: (according to the 2017 World Happiness Report)
- Norway
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Switzerland
- Finland
So, what gets these guys into the top 5?
They all rank high on what supports happiness…caring, freedom, generosity, honesty, health, income and good governance.
Then, you have the second tier that ranked high…the Netherlands, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Sweden (the last two tied for 9th position).
155 countries were surveyed and 1,000 people in each. When you have an egalitarian society, meaning they take into account income and gender differences, you keep people happy. Did you know that new parents in Norway are eligible to receive a full year leave with pay? This is just one of the many social support programs they offer.
A thriving economy plays a factor, as well. Norway is wealthy. They have oil. While this plays a significant role in the ranking, no one can argue that money can’t always buy happiness.
“The reason for taking this [report] seriously,” co-editor John Helliwell told us, is that it offers an alternative to thinking of “income as the measure of progress.”
How would you measure your progress?
Something to think about,
Lisa
I also think if a nation looks after its disadvantaged and poor and provides equity of access and basic freedoms the population will be happy. If this are neglected unrest ripples through all sectors of society. Australians are very egalitarian but I notice their ratings have slipped potentially due to restrictions on welfare.