
Here is a list of TOP 10 happiest countries in the world. The basis of this list is research done by professor Ruut Veenhoven who runs the World Database of Happiness at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
How is happiness measured?
Happiness can be very subjective. Some people are happy when it rains, others are happy when the sun is shining. So how is it measured? Apparently the people at World Database of Happiness take into account a number of different things such as average life expectancy and most importantly the answer to the following multiple choice question “How happy are you?” (Although the actual question has varied a bit throughout the years). Having all the variables they run it through a computer and get a number from 1 to 10. The bigger the number, the happier the country
Happiest countries in the world
10. Luxembourg – 7.6 points
Living in the worlds richest country inevitably puts a smile on your face! This small landlocked European country has an army of 800 people (yes, 800). They don’t have a navy nor an air force but together with Belgium they can afford to own 1 military cargo plane. Beat that US!
According to the Guinness Book of World Records Luxembourg holds the world record as the country that consumes most alcohol in the world per citizen.
9. Guatemala – 7,6 points
This Central American country borders with Mexico in the north and is located between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. This location makes it a very difficult country to stay happy in – Guatemala is frequently ravished by hurricanes and earthquakes that often kill thousands of people. Main exports of Guatemala include coffee, sugar and bananas. The latter is probably why they are so happy – have you ever seen someone that can stay sad while eating a banana?
56% of all Guatemalans live in poverty. If you ask me, they can use the cheap bananas!
8. Canada – 7,6 points
Many people have no idea that Canada’s head of state is actually Queen Elizabeth II – the head of the British Monarchy. This meant that when Britain declared war on Germany in World War I, Canada was automatically at war with the soon to be Nazi country. Unlike the neighboring US, Canada has never cancelled its relations with Cuba and has declined to take part from the Iraq War – instead, it has played a leading role in the United Nations peacekeeping missions and helped to launch a $1.5 billion initiative to help develop vaccines rxsale24 that could save millions of people in poor countries. It seems that happy people make a happy country!
7. Sweden – 7,7 points
This “welfare state” model is an excellent example of effective national taxes. Among other things the state provides universal tax-funded childcare, parental leave, health care, education (including university), retirement pensions and sick leave. Including value added tax (VAT – kind of like sales tax), it is possible to pay up to 80% of your income as taxes. Contrary to popular belief, Swedes are quite OK with their high taxes – after all it gives them tons of high quality services and they almost never need to take drastic action like taking quick payday
loans just to make ends meet. In fact, most of the services for the public are free, so what’s not to be happy about?
Sweden is also the home of IKEA – the worlds largest furniture store. IKEA’s founder Ingvar Kampard is famous for being the 7th richest person in the world (Net worth $31 billion) and driving a 15 year old Volvo station wagon. It has been claimed that more people read the Ikea catalogue than the Bible – and that one in ten Europeans have been conceived on an Ikea bed.
6. Australia – 7,7 points
The name “Australia” comes from the Latin word “Australis”, meaning “Southern”. Australia is the only country in the world, that consists of an entire continent. Between 1788 and 1868 the British used Australia as a colony to deport their convicted criminals – these people are the predecessors to many of today’s citizens. Australians are famous for playing rugby and calling each-other “mates”.
5. Finland – 7,7 points
This is the country that brought us Nokia – the worlds largest manufacturer of mobile phones. In 2003 Nokia accounted for about a quarter of Finland’s exports and in 2006 it generated more revenue than the entire budget of Finland. Before starting to make mobile phones Nokia made (yes, it’s true) rubber boots! Finland was also home to Simo Häyhä – considered to be the most deadly sniper through history with 542 kills. According to World Economic Forum Finland has the most competitive economy in the world. Plenty to be happy about!
4. Iceland – 7,8 points
This geologically active country is rich in volcanoes and geysers (A geyser is a hot spring that erupts water in certain intervals). Thanks to geothermal power Iceland gets its electricity and hot water dirt cheap. There have been occasions where steel has been shipped for processing from Australia or Africa and when finished shipped back to the originating country. Cheap local energy actually makes this cost effective. According to the Human Development Index, Iceland (together with Norway) is the world’s most developed country.
3. Austria – 8,0 points
Austria is the home to the popular energy drink Red Bull. This country is also one of the few in the world, that allows legal voting beginning from age 16. Upon turning 18, all Austrian males have to take part of a 6 month military service. The country has declared itself formally a neutral country or a “perpetual neutrality” as they say it, but in reality it has taken part of various peacekeeping missions and also took part of the UN sanctions against Iraq. Thanks to the wide use of wind-, solar- and hydropower Austria produces around 80% of its energy from renewable resources. Education is mostly free, with the exception of an average semester fee of 583 dollars (370 eur) in universities. As you probably guessed – student loan debts are not an issue in Austria.
2. Switzerland – 8,1 points
This cheese and chocolate producing land is the world’s 10th richest country. Switzerland’s neutrality helped their banks to raise some serious cash – for decades it was possible to open a bank account without having to identify yourself. Upon opening an account, you were given a special number that anyone could use to deposit or withdraw money. This law was later changed since it attracted illegal money. Switzerland is also one of the top garbage recyclers in the world (66% to 96% recyclable materials recycled). They achieve this by keeping recycling free, but asking money for regular garbage – thus giving people a financial incentive to recycle.
1. Denmark – 8,2 points
Just like Sweden, Denmark is a Nordic welfare state with most of its services free to the citizens. Expect to pay 72% of your money to the government on the highest income tax bracket. According to Wikipedia Denmark has the worlds highest taxes! When buying a car in Denmark one has to pay 25% VAT to the import price of the vehicle and then a 180% registration tax on top. That means when a car sells for $20 000, you have to pay an additional $45 000 as taxes for the government (total of $65 000). That’s why people in Denmark ride bikes or use one of the best public transport systems in the world. Denmark also has 2 autonomous provinces – the Faroe Islands and Greenland. The latter is over 50 times larger than Denmark but has about 100 times less people.
Other notable countries
- USA – 7.4 points – 17th place
- Great Britain – 7.1 points – 22nd place
- France – 6.5 points – 39th place
- China – 6.3 points – 44th place
- India – 6.3 points – 45th place
- Japan – 6.3 points – 46th place
I’ve been to 4 out of 10 happiest countries in the world – Luxembourg, Sweden, Finland and Denmark! What’s your score?
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yeah!!! I believe that Philippines is the happiest country in the world because even though many Filipinos are facing problems we have time to smile and beside Filipinos are great comedians.. that’s why there are many good-looking people in Philippines because they SMILE A LOT…OK!
why dont u incude philippines!!!
i believe that philippines is the happiest country….. and we all know that philippnies is a country that is rich in natural resources i think….
On another list I saw Denmark as the first… whatever.
I find Guatemala surprisingly happy, it’s among the poor countries, yet people seem to have good spirit
I guess phylosophy of life is more important!
Strangely, the UK, the USA, France and the rest of the great powers aren’t that happy at all. Why is it that these powerful nations are so, let’s say… “moderately unhappy”?
Because these countries have more who believe in God, modesty, morals, love, a purpose in life and truth
You see in Denmark where I live most people are selfish, materialistic, addicts who do all they can to forget about death, life purposes or deeper questions which will make them question their own deluted minds about how happy they are.
Danes believe they are the happiest, though they do all they can to drown their lives in all maner of addictive substances, and despite being one of the leading countries in smoking, suicide, depression, relationship failures, incest and prostitution.
Don’t believe the lies which tell you Denmark is the happiest nation. It is propaganda to sell sex, drugs, materialism, atheism and anything which makes you dumber, less honest and easier to control and sell to. I will easily believe that countries like Guatemala, Nigeria and Tonga is more happy than Denmark. In Denmark the culture promote a “jantelov” which is an idea that no one should think they are anything special. Yeah thats a really positive outlook for a “over the moon happy nation”. Happiness is subjective and does not have much to do with money, security or the lies people tell you so they don’t have to question their lives and change. Most in Denmark have no idea what is outside their little bobble so they don’t know things can be better and they don’t dare believing so for then their whole system would crumble. No I have lived in the US & Ireland and travelled to more than 50 countries, and as a Dane I can tell you with outmost certainty Denmark is not even in top 20 as far as happiness goes. What Denmark has is the “illusion” of security, but that is not the same as happiness. Happiness has more to do with hope, will and love and I do not know many places which has less of this than Denmark.
Philippines is a very roman Catholic country, there are always many scandals with the so-called leaders, corruption, paedophiles, hypocrisy. This church is one of the richest institutions in the world, but, of course, urges its “followers” to accept their poverty, haha!
The Philippine land is the most beautiful, but it was the Filipino people that spoiled it all with their corruption and rubbish (trash). Filipinos are not happy, their are just manipulated to accept nothing by the church, they are simply very naive people. Many work, go to happy rich countries.
Hello everyone, i want you people to know that money is not everything, i think the happiest people in the world are nigerians,people wake up with smiles on their faces even without food in their homes, but here in europe they earn so much money,good roads, infrastuctures etc but you can see that they are not happy, they are always too serious. the hungriest person in nigeria can never commit sucide no matter what but in europe its a common thing, so u see with all they have there is no happiness.
Correct
INDIA IS NO 1 HAPPIEST COUNTRY EAST OR WEST INDIA IS THE BEST
exactly
india rocksssssss
rock on india
HI Roman
I think Nepal is the happiest country in the World. Becuase we have 2nd largest water resources in the world but we have 16 hours load-shedding a day…we light candle. It is land locked but we ead sea weeds and fish everyday…we have internal conflict…people dying every day but we never mourn…we have garbage everywhere but we never have bad smell…
See, how happy people. We don’t complain, if we do so too, no body listens. LOL.
I’m going to give you some homework about a very happy tinny country in South Asia called Bhutan. I will only mention that Bhutan’s constitution promotes happiness and messures constantly the National Happines Grouth NHG. For them is more important to be happy than produce or export any kind of goods.
salam_o_alaikum,hello ,hi to all of you.i am FAIZAN and from one of the best country of this world named as PAKISTAN.A COUNTRY WHERE PEOPLE SPEND THIER LIVES ACCORDING TO COMPLETE CODE OF LIFE WHICH IS ISLAM.AS FAR AS ,HAPPINESS IS CONCERN,I BELIEVE THAT HE WHO IS EVER BE HAPPIEST PERSON WHO LIVES FOR OTHER ,WHO CARES FOR OTHER,WHO SHARES GRIEVES OF OTHER PEOPLE NOT ONLY MUSLIMS BUT THE PEOPLE RELATED TO ANY AREA OR RELIGION OF THE WORLD.BY THIS I SHALL VOTE MY COUNTRY IS THE MOST HAPPIEST COUTRY OF THE WORLD.AND THE PEOPLE HERE ARE SPENDING VERY SATISFIED LIFE.BECOZ PAKISTAN LIVE FOR OTHERS,WE FIGHT FOR THE RIGHTS OF KASHMIRIS,WE FOUGHT FOR THE WHOLE WORLD AND STOPED RUSSIA,TO SAFE THE WORLD FROM HER TERRITORY.IN A NUT SHELL,WE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SAFE THIS WORLD.WORLD SHOULD SAY THANKS TO US.
shut up dude…sereously
I don’t wanna see this such a comment. Shut up!
PAKISTAN ROXXXXXXXX!!!!!THE HAPPIEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD R IN IT
being brainwashed is not the same as being happy
just last year i saw a a data that shows bhutan a small country in asia as the happiest country in asia.. so its surprising that you didn’t mention anything about it…i think you should go for another research..
thanks
kelly do you know Bhutanese constitution promotes happyness? I wached an interview with ther prime Minister… amazing.
Philippines should be included in one of the top countries of the world! Whoah, I’ve read the comments from top to bottom and I thank those who believed that Philippines really is a happy nation.
I am wonder also why Bhutan is not included.
Bhutan focus on their Gross National Happiness (GNH) instead of Gros Domestic Product (GDP).
As what I understand, 97% of their residents claimed that they are happy. It is not base on what they have, but rather what they belief and they are self-contented. They do put a lot of effort to protect on the country’s environment and culture.
person who put the top 10 happiest country of the world are liar and did’nt know what he/she put down…..lack of knowledge i think …….fuck!!!!!!!
So, How do you think of it? Could you post your happiest country here? I love to check it.
Thanks
I am journalist in vanuatu, my country, and i think my country is the happiest place. my point is that if you come to vanuatu, there is no streets kids such as yours; no war, no homeless, no problem with. In Vanuatu people are friendly with visitors. I guarantee you if you wanna proof my comment, fill free to come.
How to get your country to visit as a visitor.
i really have no idea. i’m very sorry.
I get to travel all over since i work on Cruiship..I have concluded that Sweden is indeed a one most beautifull country in europe.. and people are so friendly and have “ready to party anytime” attitude..I have never been to Swiss and its on my wish list..
I’ve been to five of the countries – whereas Denmark is counted too, although I live there so I don’t now if it really counts (: Anyway little add -> we don’t pay that high taxes the “top-tax” is currently around 65-67% as far as I recall, the politicans keep changing it cause they want it lower. (Which I think is stupid..)
But the car thing is right xD
We’re also the country where Hamlet lived, also H.C.Andersen is from here : D ! (cause we rock)
Oh and Aqua ;D
What I like about this kind of survey is that it doesn’t just measure a country’s happiness by its power, wealth, authority or financial status but most likely its people being satisfied with their way of living as a citizen and how its people could easily adjust from any varying situations.
But I am sure that there are lots of places (likely the uncommon ones)in the globe that has a jovial environment.
I believe, Philippines should be on the top 10 list. They are so generous to people. Even though they are not a rich country, Philippines is rich of good smiling filipinos.
Also, they have beautiful places and tourists spots to be visited… :))
Philippines suppose to be there…
this is not official ranking anyway… this is just your opinion…*yawn*
I can’t believe Norway is on this list,The people of denmark are very quite and there is not so much to do,anyway how can you judge if a country is the happiest,wat about spain,i know 3 people from demark and they love spain more the demark
philippines is the happiest country 4 me
SE OLVIDARON DE PUERTO RICO!!!, FORGOT ABOUT PUERTO RICO!!!
what the rank of kuwait happiness ??
I think its so high
coz most kuwaiti people are sooooo happy ^^
please i want to know
what the rank of Kuwait happiness ??
YOu are Muslim so it’s high
Just look around you and see if they’re happy or not. I live in America (USA) and everyone here is depressed/stressed out. When my family came from Libya we were political Assylum so Ghadafi chased us out, and we came here happy 11 years ago, now we are depressed just like the rest of Americans. Sad.
i agree with many of the others i think that India is the best country in the world
Lovepreet (aged 8) in England, UK
PS: and would the uneducated persons who are using swear words here please stop because they are insulting themselves by using such a misuse of the English language
hey, your so boastful,
only gay are doing that huh !
ur gay??
proud??
hey!!!!! why is the PHILIPPINES not in the most happiest coutries…but i know the most happiest country is the PHILIPPINES….hey add the PHILIPPINES in the most happiest country…
– pLS……. be no. 1 the PHILIPPINES…
people stop swearing, get it. swear in your own language as it is insulting english. i sincerely feel India should be on the list, as at an average an Indian laughs about 200 times a day, compared to The world average of 75. we are very happy people. by the ways, i have seen your lists and they are very nice. Why dont you visit India, it is a very nice place. oh ya Indonesia should be 2nd as at an average an indonesian laughs 150 times.
Sri Lanka<3..
You might think different, But in opinion SL is the happiest country in the world [: I miss my country…
i love my PAKISTAN.And i m v happy to be a pakistani.
me too:pppppppp
http://www.financialjesus.com – da best. Keep it going!
Thanks
I have lived in and visited many countries. I have no idea which is the happiest, but I know where I was the happiest.
Mexico, mano, Mexico! Specifically, La Paz, Baja California.
VIVA MEXICO!
And Britain is the most miserable!
please ,kindly inform me the position of my country,Nigeria
i have not engouh to get viza easily
which Visa do you want?
Now a days, Australia is popular home for every international student. In fact, australia is really good place to live and study. However, the tutuion fee applied to each and every international student is too much expensive. Personally, i think that australia makes international student as a good source of economy. Although, australia has legally made some work permit to foreign student, getting job in australia for overseas student is as hard as to break rock.
Sorry for not getting it, but does the term “hard as to break rock” show that something is very easy or very difficult?
A lot of young Estonians from my country take a year off and go to Australia just to explore the world and usually they do odd jobs in big farms.
As far as I’ve heard from my friends who have been in Australia – it is very easy to get a temporary farm job!
Bhutan should be in top 10
i believe that philippines is the most happiest country why?because this is the land of manny pacquiao
yes philppines is the happiest country because this country has a lot of beautiful womens,smart people,smiling people,rich and poor unites when it needs.laughing capital of the world..come to philippines and then you know why philippines is the happiest country of all time
even theres a great flood,huricane,volcano eruption,sickness,everything ,the philippines is still smiling,can you do that.
yes, when I’m on drugs!!
Ahaha nice one! xD
(dont get me wrong..im from philippines myself.) =D
you must be an American who said “You must be on drugs”, I bet. Most Americans use drugs anyways.
it shows that youre replying to me instead to -smiling-.
neways, yay! “most”? thatz crazy.. maybe not. (how should i know, ive never been to the U.S.) Lol
i like smiling’s comment. tis HiLarious.. xD but yea drugs is a no – no. he/she sounds joking though.
=)
hehe yes I replied by accident. I’m glad you like philipines, nice people
,..,i really believe that philippines belongs to one of the happiest country,..try to visit here and we will show you the evidence,..,
IMHO philippines is the happiest country..,,
I agree…I’m from India..but i’m here in the Philippines now and its more more giving, happy & generous nation. People here have lot of respect and care for each other.
Jai ho Philiphines
I live in Oman, I love this place. Couldn’t ask for any better place to live in…
Maybe Australia, but that’s about it.
Where are you from originally? I heard a Saudi Sheikh once say that Oman is one of the happiest arab countries.
Roman,What number is Nigeria on the list?
hi ..
i’m a filipino..
im just wondering why my beloved country was not the happiest contry in the world..
did you know,
even if our country suffered many nature problems like typhoon ketsana and super typhoon parma, we can laugh at those times .. because we filipinos were a happy people..
even if we are poor, we can laugh at those experience..
i hope other people to visit philippines and they will realize that they were wrong .. we are the happiest person in the world.. others that have a problem cry for it, we filipinos laugh for it.. were not crazy, its just this reason, problems make your life miserable..
we filipinos have a great sense of humor..
in the international news, they report many problems is the philippines, BUT they dont report happy things that happened here.. we can do things that we want cause FYI our people are independent just like USA.. if we had committed crime, its because of independency of our people.. and special mention, those koreans whom said that we filipinos are monkeys, you’re all wrong, international country was angry in your caountry specially north korea because you are producing a nuclear weapons that USA condemmed ..!!
hi ..
i hope the philippines would be awarded as LAUGHING CAPITAL OF THE WORLD ..
come in the philippines , talk to some filipinos , you will realized what makes our country happy.. because of the people living it .. we don’t need richness, money can’t buy happiness.. we need happiness !!
world need happiness!! world needs philippines!!
i think usa is more happier bcoz we have the hottest girls in world
ahmm,, luke ,
hot girls dont make every people happy ..
bka ikw lng bullshit!
hahahaha!!!
That is Wrong, USA DOES NOT have the happiest countries in the world. DID you ever leave USA in the first place? most americans never even leave the usa then say it is the best. Look around there are way more better looking ladies than the US.
Well,I disagree with this list.You have to remember wealth isn’t what brings happiness.If you really did your survey well.you would have found out that the happiest people on earth are in the poorest part of the world.i.e.Africa,Asia,Mid-east&East europe.Remember the Rich’s cry most!
what about scotland i think we are one of the happiest people in the world and our culture is sooo good.
Forget about England they are arrogant and because scotland is part of the UK then they bring us down. It’s the same for Wales,they are such a happy sing song country too
I like to live here in Denmark and you are right about the beer thing, the girls here are drunkasses.
We are really lazy over here, and i think that’s why were are number one. Lol C;
Hi Roman.
Is Roman ur real name? I kind a like ur picture
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