The 10 happiest countries in the world 2012

[herbivor]

http://247wallst.com/2012/05/22/the-...n-the-world-2/

Happiness Rank vs. (Taxation as % GDP )

1. Denmark (48.2%)
   
2. Norway (42)
   
3. Netherlands (38.2)
   
4. Switzerland (29)
   
5. Austria (42.0)
   
6. Israel (32.4)
   
7. Finland (42.1)
   
8. Australia (27.0)
   
9. Canada(31.0)
10. Sweden (45)
    
11. USA (24)
    

For anyone that thinks lower taxes = happiness, see above. And for those that like to criticize democratic socialist countries, see above (and read the article).

[mrsleeve]

The I suggest you pack your shit and move to one of those countries then if thats the life you want, dont try and force it down the rest of our throats .


Riddle me this, Riddle me that.................. If they are so happy why do nearly all those countries (Including the US) land in the top 26 per capita for killing themselves ?????

[Mr_Tripp]

...Riddle me this, Riddle me that.................. If they are so happy why do nearly all those countries (Including the US) land in the top 26 per capita for killing themselves ?????

Well you answered your own question all the sad people are killing themselves leaving only the happy ones :)

[markseven]

http://247wallst.com/2012/05/22/the-...n-the-world-2/

Happiness Rank vs. (Taxation as % GDP )

1. Denmark (48.2%)
   
2. Norway (42)
   
3. Netherlands (38.2)
   
4. Switzerland (29)
   
5. Austria (42.0)
   
6. Israel (32.4)
   
7. Finland (42.1)
   
8. Australia (27.0)
   
9. Canada(31.0)
10. Sweden (45)
    
11. USA (24)
    

For anyone that thinks lower taxes = happiness, see above. And for those that like to criticize democratic socialist countries, see above (and read the article).

What are the immigration laws for the top 5?

[mrsleeve]

Well you answered your own question all the sad people are killing themselves leaving only the happy ones :)

hahahahaha well played good sir well played.

In all seriousness though I dont think thats the answer

[Massimo]

The I suggest you pack your shit and move to one of those countries then.


Riddle me this, Riddle me that.................. If they are so happy why do nearly all those countries (Including the US) land in the top 26 per capita for killing themselves ?????

1st world problems that is why. People don't think about what they have these days, they just think about what they don't have and how they can get it. Along with bulling, stress from a busy life trying to support a family and maintain a wealth level in society.

In other places maybe 3rd world, if you look around everybody is smilling. Why, well the only thing they need to worry about is getting food and water for the day. They don't have a morguge, jobs, trying to stay trendy. ect ect ect

That is what I think anyways. As usual I have no evidance to support this which probably makes this intire post a complete waste of time. But you have just finished reading it now, lol.



EDIT: Some of the happiest people I know have comited suicide. Maybe not everyone is telling the truth.

[herbivor]

Riddle me this, Riddle me that.................. If they are so happy why do nearly all those countries (Including the US) land in the top 26 per capita for killing themselves ?????

Watch the documentary "The Gods Grew Tired of Us" for a clue. It's not that hard to figure out why the affluent countries have the highest rates of suicide. But one shouldn't assume that a high suicide rate correlates to generally high unhappiness amongst the citizens.

[rwh11385]

hahahahaha well played good sir well played.

In all seriousness though I dont think thats the answer

Actually, as good of a comment that was, might not be far from the reality.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110421082641.htm

The researchers (Professor Andrew Oswald from the University of Warwick, Associate Professor of Economics Stephen Wu of Hamilton College and Mary C. Daly and Daniel Wilson both from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco) believe the key explanation that may explain this counterintuitive link between happiness and suicide rates draws on ideas about the way that human beings rely on relative comparisons between each other.
University of Warwick researcher Professor Andrew Oswald said: "Discontented people in a happy place may feel particularly harshly treated by life. Those dark contrasts may in turn increase the risk of suicide. If humans are subject to mood swings, the lows of life may thus be most tolerable in an environment in which other humans are unhappy."

Everyone is miserable in New Jersey, so it'd not like someone feels left out:
"At the other end of the spectrum, for example, New Jersey ranked near the bottom in adjusted life satisfaction (47th) and had one of the lowest adjusted suicide risks (coincidentally, also the 47th highest rate)."

[mrsleeve]

EDIT: Some of the happiest people I know have comited suicide. Maybe not everyone is telling the truth.

I am betting there is more to this and its correlation to herbies original post. but like you its little more than a hunch I have, based on some basic observations of people in general.

Watch the documentary "The Gods Grew Tired of Us" for a clue. It's not that hard to figure out why the affluent countries have the highest rates of suicide. But one shouldn't assume that a high suicide rate correlates to generally high unhappiness amongst the citizens.

But yet its safe to assume that a high rate has no bearing either???? ummm Ok sure if you say so. I suppose common sense has never been a strong suit of yours has it.

[Mr_Tripp]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0421082641.htm

Bookmarked' I really liked that article.

[Xaq]

Happiness is subjective. There is definitely more to the suicide rates than a measurement of happiness. People in 3rd world countries don't have the luxury to lay around and get depressed that their life isn't exactly how they want it. Physical exertion releases serotonin, so at the end of the day they are just grateful to eat whatever they can, and are "happy".

[dirtysix]

There's absolutely no surprise we dont make the top ten.

[herbivor]

There's absolutely no surprise we dont make the top ten.

You were just behind us last year. The 5 weeks I visited NZ made me want to stay for good, well the South Island anyway.

[LBJefferies]

You can't quantify happiness. These numbers are shining examples of why statistics are bullshit.

The grass is always greener on the other side. I am sure plenty of Danes are sick of the monotony and want to move elsewhere and same goes for Kiwis, Americans, Brazilians, etc.

It's called FIRST WORLD PROBLEMS.

[herbivor]

You can't quantify happiness. These numbers are shining examples of why statistics are bullshit.

The grass is always greener on the other side. I am sure plenty of Danes are sick of the monotony and want to move elsewhere and same goes for Kiwis, Americans, Brazilians, etc.

It's called FIRST WORLD PROBLEMS.

Well that's pretty ignorant. It's like saying Polling data and math doesn't mean anything. The OECD started using the statistics for a reason.