Find, view and share videos about news and entertainment from around the Web.
See Videos »

Blog Chatter

NEWS ALERTS

Get the latest updates sent straight to your inbox.

Sign up to receive AOL News alerts by e-mail.

Denmark Is World's Happiest Country

Reuters
Posted: 2008-08-21 09:06:20
Filed Under: Nation News
WASHINGTON (July 1) - Denmark, with its democracy, social equality and peaceful atmosphere, is the happiest country in the world, researchers said on Monday.

Zimbabwe, torn by political and social strife, is the least happy, while the world's richest nation, the United States, ranks 16th.

5 Happiest Countries

Northern IrelandThomas Wilmer, San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune / MCT

Northern Ireland
Ranking: 5

1 of 5PHOTOS

X | Close



See Full List: Happiest and Least Happy Countries

Overall, the world is getting happier, according to the U.S. government-funded World Values Survey, done regularly by a global network of social scientists.

It found increased happiness from 1981 to 2007 in 45 of 52 countries analyzed.

"I strongly suspect that there is a strong correlation between peace and happiness," said Ronald Inglehart, a political scientist at the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research, who directed the study.

And, said Ingelhart, there is a strong correlation between happiness and democracy.

"Denmark is the happiest country in the world in our ratings," Inglehart said in an audio statement released by the National Science Foundation, which paid for the analysis.

"Denmark is prosperous -- not the richest country in the world but it is prosperous."

Puerto Rico and Colombia also rank highly, along with Northern Ireland, Iceland, Switzerland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Canada and Sweden.

5 Least Happy Countries

UkraineAP

Ukraine
Ranking: 5

1 of 5PHOTOS

X | Close
"Though by no means the happiest country in the world, from a global perspective the United States looks pretty good," Inglehart said. "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."

The survey, first done in 1981, has kept to two simple questions:

"Taking all things together, would you say you are very happy, rather happy, not very happy, not at all happy?" And, "All things considered, how satisfied are you with your life as a whole these days?"

Writing in the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science, Ingelhart's team said they have surveyed 350,000 people.

"Ultimately, the most important determinant of happiness is the extent to which people have free choice in how to live their lives," Inglehart said.

Copyright 2008 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2008-07-01 13:51:53
Bookmark

Recent Comments

1 - 10 of 1641
1641 comments

mortiz55 11:48:53 AM Jul 03 2008

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is an “unincorporated territory†of the US. The United States Supreme Court defines it as “a territory appurtenant and belonging to the United States, but not a part of the United States". It can still be considered for a survey on happiness...just as any other country, island and territory should...stop being haters...learn something from the survey and try to be a little 'happier' maybe the US can keep from becoming number 50 on the list....

elagosto 12:18:40 AM Jul 03 2008

What can I say. I am speachless. PROUD of my country and my people. Just came back from PR 2 weeks ago, and started missing my beautifull country as soon as I step into the plane. And when I said "MY COUNTRY" it is because we are our own country. Yes we do have a commonwealth with the US, and we all are US citizens, just like the US Virgin Islands, Guam and Surinam. But like my partner said we have our own Constitution, language and culture, and according to this the 2nd happiest country in the world. GO PUERTORICANS.

stlleatherdaddy 12:02:28 AM Jul 03 2008

Puerto Rico is it's own country!!! It is a commonwealth of the US just like the US Virgin Islands, Surinam and Guam. They have thier own constitution, Olympic team, and some of the most beautiful people in the world. (Physically and mentally) They are proud people that take pride in thier culture. I have been there and wanted to move there ever since. When I leave the city that I live in the US, since I have been there, Puerto rico is the place that I choose to go. Beautiful Beaches, nice weather and a respect for man and nature is my favorite things about Puerto Rico. No more racist Bullsh*t, No more winter and no more bitter unhappy people like here in the US. One of the 1st things I said to my partner when I visited there for the first time was Damn these people seem to be happy and content here.

clb45para 11:03:46 PM Jul 02 2008

Duh! Puerto Rico isn't a country. It's a possession of the US.And I know too many Columbians to believe this poll. More left wing, anti America propaganda. Why does everyone want to come to the US if it is so bad? And why do all these people who hate the US stay here? Let them all move to Columbia, or Iceland, NOW!

fddragon 07:29:23 PM Jul 02 2008

I want to live there, they don't hate and are not racist like this country please someone let me out of here and let me go there to live where govenment gives a crap and people aren't thugs and killers and rapest like here in the usa....I would love to live in a country where there can be pride and not shame....

jamaldere 07:24:52 PM Jul 02 2008

we all be happy once the clown is out of washington

stemjo33 06:12:41 PM Jul 02 2008

But we (USA) are number one in many other things, such as drug addicts, incarcerated people, alcohol and cigarette use, these things are because we are free to choose...however, we make many wrong choices ....we are the only remaining "super power" because of our military, but i'm afraid after this administration that will be gone also...God help us !!!

jstoecker53 05:56:56 PM Jul 02 2008

Americans are so unhappy because we have no time for happiness. We are constantly on the move and we don't take time to take in the world around us.

mjclark62 05:38:09 PM Jul 02 2008

really cool

mjclark62 05:37:03 PM Jul 02 2008

jeepers is the best dude in the world

1 - 10 of 1641
1641 comments

Add your own Comments

* Want the latest Hot Seat polls delivered to your Vista desktop? Hot Seat Vista Gadget »

Top Videos

News Bloggers

Ada Calhoun
Dinesh D'Souza
Mo Rocca
Ben Greenman
The Young Turks