The World's 10 Happiest and Most Miserable Countries

A new study on global happiness puts Denmark at the top of the list. The study factored in economic grown, democracy, and social tolerance. According to CNN, "researchers at the University of Michigan said Denmark's prosperity, stability and democratic government placed the country at the top of the rankings."

Rounding out the top ten were:

* Puerto Rico
* Colombia
* Iceland
* Northern Ireland
* Republic of Ireland
* Switzerland
* Netherlands
* Canada
* Austria

So which countries got the short end of the happiness stick? Zimbabwe, "with its soaring inflation and continuin political crisis, unsurpringly ranked 97th." Ronald Inglehart, a political scientist at the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research suspects that "there is a strong correlation between peace and happiness. There is also a correlation between democracy and peace. Democracies are less likely to fight each other than non-democracies."

And the ten most unhappy countries (after Zimbabwe) were:
* Armena
* Moldova
* Belarus
* Ukraine
* Albania
* Iraq
* Bulgaria
* Georgia
* Russia

Read the rest.

What do you think? Were you surprised by any of the countries? How do you feel about where you live?

(Oh, and if you were wondering, the United States, as the world's richest nation, ranked 16th.)

Comments

[peterg76]

Is the United States 16th happiest or unhappiest? I'm guessing 16th unhappiest, since the US is at war, is a failed democracy, has issues with social tolerance, and has feudal extremes of economic inequality.

[latinopride]

If you're filthy rich, America is heaven!!!

[mamacat]

I love Europe, and particularly Scandinavia.

Here in the U.S., I think the West Coast is better than the East Coast, and lots of places in the hinterland are really nice, if you can make a living. Haven't been to Alaska, but loved Canada and Hawaii, too.

[Phylmom]

I was surprised to see Northern Ireland listed since it's not, you know, a country. It's part of the U.K. So why is it listed separately?

Also I was surprised to see Puerto Rico and Columbia listed, especially Columbia. I'd think between the violence of FARC and drug trafficking it would be a pretty hard place to live.

[Wilburrr]

Are you happier than you were 8 years ago?

[jeplanet]

People in Denmark pay approx %50 taxes.
And they are the happiest.
Something to think about.

[BADEN]

And that's because those taxes are put RIGHT BACK INTO THE local and social economy to support it's citizens-not Corporatocracy, not wars to protect the Corporatocracy, not colonies in regional outposts.....

Gee - what a novel concept.
Government of, for and by the PEOPLE...

[yambartsumian]

That must be a typo... Armena? They mean Armenia, don't they?

[cgpunker]

Iraq's unhappy? But, but....it's been LIBERATED!

[peterg76]

No, the *oil* was liberated. Iraq itself is under occupation.

[devilyousay]

I'm happier than a number 9 ranking.

[playera]

Colombians are very happy people. They know how to live and enjoy life. They have much different priorities for life than we Americans.

What makes Colombians happy? Family, friends, food, social life, work, holidays, weekends, sports, love, sex, patriotism, etc., and they appreciate every day of life and survival.

What makes Americans happy? The same things, if we can find them at the mall or WalMart or on TV.

[Portnoy]

I'm sure Coumbia has room for you.

[DaOne]

Hey nobody ever asked my input on this survey. I am not happy about this. I am downright bitter in fact!

[EvSmith]

Where is Costa Rica ? New Zealand ? The U.S ? So now people prefer life in Iceland over life in the great American west? You just wasted my time, twice.

[dtrobert]

Have you ever spoken to someone from Iceland? How the hell could you possibly know if it's a nice place to live in? You don't.

I, on the other hand, HAVE spoken to people from Iceland. They LOVE living in their country. They don't just love their country; they actually enjoy life there. Talk to most Americans, and you'll realize quickly that although they love their country, they don't truly enjoy their lives IN America.

If you look around you, in any major city in the world, you'll notice something about Icelandic people: there NOT THERE. Few people ever emigrate from Iceland. Few of them would ever think of it.

On the other hand, the number of Americans living abroad is quite high, and is growing every year... You do the math...

[kuastar]

"Where is Costa Rica ? New Zealand ? The U.S ?" Huh? Where do YOU live?
Are you happy there? Maybe ignorance IS bliss.

"So now people prefer..."
It's not a survey of people who've lived in all these countries and are comparing them.

Who's wasting who's time?

[mamacat]

The U.S. has been a great place for a long time, and will continue to be well regarded by people living in many third world countries, but Europe is rapidly surpassing us in quality of life.

[pbfishtaco]

All those Canadians just wish they were 16th on the list, so they'd have to pay for their healthcare, like us yankees.

[JulieinVT]

Puerto Rico? Where dogs are routinely dumped on a section of beach to star...er...fend for themselves? Colombia? The drug cartel capital of the world?

[carlosb00]

Obviously you havent lived in Puerto Rico, or understood its culture! You might find many thing to critizice about these two countries, but you have to ask yourself, How come are they so happy? Well the fact is you dont have two be a millionaire to have a great quality of life in our island. So even the poorest have access to most spectacular places inside the island.

Have you ever seen a movie where a worked out employee is thinking of having a vacation at the caribbean, Well, we actually work, and live in it!

[dndelyne]

'why are they so happy?' because they piggy bank off the US, given citizenship w/o having to foot the bill.

[piperson]

Where did Jamaica rank?