What do the people of Denmark, Switzerland, Austria, Iceland, The Bahamas, Finland, Sweden, Bhutan, Brunei, Canada, Ireland, Luxembourg, Costa Rica, Malta, the Netherlands, Antigua, Barbuda, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway and the Seychelles all have in common? The answer will likely make you unhappier than you already are.
The people in those countries are happier than we are. In fact, the United States came in at 23 on the list of the world's happiest and most unhappy nations.
These stats are based on the first Happiness Map of the world. British researchers looked at published data from over 100 studies including 178 nations and over 80,000 people
But don't despair, there are a tons of people who are much more miserable than Americans including the Germans (35,) the British (41) , the French (65,) the Chinese (82,) the Japanese (90,) the Indians (125,) and the Russians (167.)
People who live in the Congo, Zimbabwe, Burundi and Moldova are by far the least happy on earth and are downright suicidal.
The leading factor contributing to human happiness? Good health care. The other two big factors are financial security and education.
By the way, the researchers didn't bother to include the Iraqis, even though you'd think they be reveling in the joys of their newfound democracy.
By the way, the researchers didn't bother to include the Iraqis, even though you'd think they be reveling in the joys of their newfound democracy.
Muriel ... you're terrrrible.
Posted by: Mike V. | Sunday, 30 July 2006 at 03:05 PM