[Brandon716]

http://www.forbes.com/2009/05/05/wo...rld-happiest_slide_2.html?partner=yahootravel

Of course these kinds of rankings can be humorous, but at least its fun to read.

Forbes Magazine's Happiest Places Survey

10) Belgium
9) Norway
8) New Zealand
7) Switzerland
6) Canada
5) Ireland
4) Sweden
3) Netherlands
2) Finland
1) Denmark

 

[Brian69]

Odd, I've always been under the impression that those south seas islands were the happiest. I'm rather surprised that one of the most heavily taxed nations in the world is #1.

 

[hkskyline]

Notice happiness and money don't really correlate. The places where you can really make money are nowhere at the top!

There goes that age-old perception.

 

[Hydrogen]

I had read somewhere that Scandanavian countries also had a high rate of depression due to low daylight hours in the winter.

Otherwise, it appears that the dour northerners are doing quite well when it comes to being happy.

 

[ian]

Forbes Magazine's Happiest Places Survey

...
6) Canada
5) Ireland
4) Sweden
3) Netherlands
2) Finland
1) Denmark

In honour of these results, Canada should start a new tourism campaign: "Canada, sadder than Denmark"

 

[afransen]

I wonder how the Irish are feeling now. Of the top five, it has the smallest welfare state and it's bubble has just burst in a very spectacular way. They are just inches from falling over the cliff Iceland did.

 

[Whoaccio]

CBC or TVO had a documentary on happiness in Denmark a while back. Some of the explanations for the perceived happiness of the population were pretty standard, strong social security, good job opportunities, low crime and such. Pretty much what you would expect. One of the interviews though gave a more interesting explanation. Unlike the USA and many Anglo countries, Denmark doesn' have an equivalent to the "American Dream." In other words, most Danes realize that they probably wont be George Soros or Tom Hanks. Free of unrealistic expectations of their life they can focus on living the life they have in a pleasing manner. Thats not to say they are a bunch of apathetic slackers, but that don't tend to judge success or failure by completely unmeetable standards. Its not a total explanation but it was an interesting perspective.

 

[waterloowarrior]

A few of those countries also have some of the highest suicide rates

 

[Brandon716]

A few of those countries also have some of the highest suicide rates

If Denmark had a higher suicide rate than Haiti, I'd still choose Denmark to live in.

 

[afransen]

haha.. and less stoned than the dutch

Actually, drug usage rates are higher here, particularly for marijuana.

 

[emacs]

In other words, most Danes realize that they probably wont be George Soros or Tom Hanks. Free of unrealistic expectations of their life they can focus on living the life they have in a pleasing manner. Thats not to say they are a bunch of apathetic slackers, but that don't tend to judge success or failure by completely unmeetable standards. Its not a total explanation but it was an interesting perspective.

this makes sense. to be pleased at what you have accomplished and have without the need or compulsion to measure oneself against very high standards is a good thing.

 

[Automation Gallery]

Surprised that Australia (Good weather, Beaches, Financially/Politically stable, Good standard of living), is not in the top 10.

 

[Prometheus The Supremo]

why didn't the vatican make the list?

 

[dt_toronto_geek]

Not so much in the "happy" places category, but International Living Magazine lists France as having the highest quality of life for the fifth year in a row which probably means they're pretty happy people judging by the criteria to get to this position. The USA drops 4 places from 3rd to 7th place, Canada comes in at #9.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/wor...-fifth-year-row--Britain-languishes-25th.html

 

[Archivist]

Re: Happiness. Perhaps the strong correlation between happiness and suicide rates is due to the impact of feeling down in a place where everybody is cheerful. If I were depressed, being around a whole society of happy people could put me over the edge.

Re: Australia. Maybe Australians aren't on the list because they are mostly surrounded by other Australians. Ow.