Denmark is World’s Happiest Country
July 8, 2008
Dallas, Texas (WiredPRNews.com) — Anyone looking to escape unhappy people and overall dissatisfaction with life can now find refuge in a country who has been proven to be happier and more fulfilled. According to Reuters, a team of social scientists has found that Denmark is the happiest country on the globe providing residents overall well being in the form of “democracy, social equality and peaceful atmosphere.”
Although the U.S. is not in the top ten countries rated for contented excellence, it still places nicely at the 16th spot. Weakened by economic, social and political discord, Zimbabwe is the least healthy country in the world.
A World Values Survey funded by the United States government and researched by a worldwide network of social scientist have some good news about the study as well: the world as a whole is getting happier. The survey found an increase in the rate of happiness from 1981 to 2007 analyzing 52 countries.
Ronald Inglehart, a political scientist at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research and director of the study said, “I strongly suspect that there is a strong correlation between peace and happiness.” He further indicated a strong parallel between happiness and democracy.
In an audio statement released by the National Science Foundation, Inglehart said, “Denmark is the happiest country in the world in our ratings. Denmark is prosperous — not the richest country in the world but it is prosperous.”
He further continued, “Though by no means the happiest country in the world, from a global perspective the United States looks pretty good. The country is not only prosperous; it ranks relatively high in gender equality, tolerance of ethnic and social diversity and has high levels of political freedom.”
Among other countries that had happiness abound were Puerto Rico, Northern Ireland, The Netherlands and Canada.
Wired Education Reporter
