The 10 happiest countries in the world 2012

[Mr_Tripp]

Haha hungary got a Zero are you saying no one there is a unhappy how can a place have an average of 0 ??

[E30 Wagen]

..its little more than a hunch I have, based on some basic observations of people in general...

Basic observations generally aren't adequate support for what one feels are the factors that most influence the behaviors of a society.

I remember contemplating this scenario posed by my psych prof: You're given a description of a handful of people, varying ages, genders, and a broad spectrum of personalities. Based on the given info you're supposed to rate how likely that person is to suicide.

Well, it turns out that all of the people that were described committed suicide. The perceptions we have of others is obviously not always accurate. So, can we then extend that idea to include entire societies? I think so. Therefore, I think it's wrong to draw any specific conclusions based solely on an apparent correlation between tax policies and happiness when there are many more factors that need to be considered from our foreign position.

However, I think the greatest influence on the overall happiness of a person is the amount of meaningful social interaction. It is a basic human need and I think the cultures that recognize this need are stronger because of it. Perhaps the paradox is that a highly social culture invariably isolates individuals who find themselves struggling to fit in. You wind up with a bunch of pitiful, lonesome outsiders who routinely off themselves. There's little middle ground between happiness and suicide ideation, and it happens to result in more people being happy than depressed. Maybe this is this the case in countries where individuals must contribute more of their personal wealth? I don't know, just my thoughts.

[Massimo]

Actaully what I find interesting is Israel is in the top ten. Considering they are always involved with conflict with Palistine, you would think that people would not be the happiest. But I supose I am just ignorant.

[LBJefferies]

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.

Polling data really doesn't mean shit and statistics aren't math.

Do you honestly think that you can represent the collective happiness of a nation with just a simple number?

[cale]

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 ?????

Pretty sure Iran fares far better than the US in regards to suicide rates, are you really sure that's a statistic you want to argue with

[joshh]

Subjective....

[Ryan Stewart]

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).

And for anyone who thinks this survey means a damned thing they dont understand the scientific method.

Pretty sure Iran fares far better than the US in regards to suicide rates, are you really sure that's a statistic you want to argue with

One of the fun things about sucide rates, especially in countries with "loose morals" when dealing with their populace, is they cant really be trusted. Actually, under Stalin's direction shortly after 63 the rates fell to 0 in the USSR and the DDR because they chose not to report them.

[nando]

statistics aren't math.

uh....

[monticello]

There are too many variables to gauge these statistics.

[herbivor]

There are too many variables to gauge these statistics.

The OECD is a pretty respectable resource for the statistics of every nation. They've accounted for several other factors including the general survey of happiness to determine the ranking.
To say this is subjective or meaningless is similar to saying the consumer price index or consumer confidence are meaningless indicators. The ranking system is not just a bloke with a questionnaire just interviewing a couple hundred people in every country. Also, if the methods used were poor, wouldn't you think you would have a completely random set of countries in the top ten every year? Although the rankings change every year, Denmark is consistently at the top of the top ten and we are consistently near the bottom or outside the top ten. I think it's pretty important to know why that is.

[evandael]

I will happily move away from this country as soon as I can. There's more than one way to skin a cat, and it seems other nations are doing a better job of it. US stalemate politics are making social reform difficult, thus making our particular environment not necessarily the best to achieve a life of contentedness (at the very least).

One can't even say most Americans have a sense of failsafes or security against bankruptcy, political bullying, degradation of health, or peace of mind any more (which certainly plays a role in anxiety and happiness).


Have any of the ultra-conservative among us ever thought that it's not the progressive who are ruining their America, but rather that America is tryig to move on and evolve and try are holding the process back?

[Fusion]

IMO, its simply knowing where your tax dollars went, no matter the percentage. The better (nicer) your surroundings are, the better you feel. That includes fair and transparent spending. Some of those listed are also the least corrupt in the world. Note that most of those top ten countries would not put military expenses as a top priority.

Least corrupt 2011:
1. Denmark 9.3 Europe
2. New Zealand 9.3 Island Near Australia
3. Singapore 9.3 Asia
4. Finland 9.2 Europe
5. Sweden 9.2 Europe
6. Canada 8.9 North America
7. Netherlands 8.8 Europe
8. Australia 8.7 Australia
9. Switzerland 8.7 Europe
10. Norway 8.6 Europe

If people based their quality of living solely on tax percentage, some countries would have 0 population and the top 10 would have to include places like Liechtenstein and the Seychelles.

[naplesE30]

Maybe we should tax ourselves into happiness. Whoever isn't happy will have to pay a tax,,,er um penalty till they cheer up. For their own good of course.

[mrsleeve]

^

They can do that now you know. The SCOTUS. Just said so

[gwb72tii]

herb, are you ready to give up your economic freedom for "happiness"?
are you ready for a 100% tax on a car you choose to buy?