The World's Happiest Countries

[Ben]

Legatum recently completed its 2010 Prosperity Index, which ranks 110 countries, covering 90% of the world's population.

To build its index Legatum gathers upward of a dozen international surveys done by the likes of the Gallup polling group, the Heritage Foundation and the World Economic Forum. Each country is ranked on 89 variables sorted into eight subsections: economy, entrepreneurship, governance, education, health, safety, personal freedom and social capital.

The core conceit: Prosperity is complex; achieving it relies on a confluence of factors that build on each other in a virtuous circle.

Ultimately how happy you are depends on how happy you've been. If you're already rich, like Scandinavia, then more freedom, security and health would add the most to happiness. For the likes of China and India (ranked 88th), it's more a case of "show me the money." What they want most of all? The opportunity to prove to themselves that money doesn't buy happiness.

No. 10: United States
Nearly 90% of Americans are satisfied with their health, and government per capita spending on health care is the highest in the world. The U.S. is also a nation of entrepreneurs, with annual income from royalties topping $90 billion a year, the highest in the world. Almost 90% of Americans feel that with hard work they can get ahead in life.

No. 9: Netherlands
Personal freedoms are very high in the Netherlands, with 88% satisfied that they are free to choose what to do with their lives. The Dutch also put a lot of trust in their fellow citizens and in their government.

No. 8: Switzerland
Negligible corruption with lots of checks and balances and excellent educational opportunities give the Swiss faith in their government. Financial institutions are also strong and trusted, with nonperforming loans extremely low at just 0.5%. Switzerland, however, is not seen as a having a great climate for entrepreneurship.

No. 7: Canada
Personal freedom is plentiful, and immigrants are welcomed. Corruption is very low, and social capital is high, with Canadians eager to help others and donate to charity. Three-fourths believe their city is a good place to start a new business.

No. 6: Sweden
Ranked second for entrepreneurship and opportunity, Sweden is a good place to start a business. R&D spending is high; startup costs are low. Yet broad redistribution of wealth means that not as many Swedes think hard work will pay off. Civil liberties are protected.

No. 5: New Zealand
With very high levels of social cohesion and a first-place ranking in education, New Zealanders trust and help each other. The country ranks first in civil liberties. Ninety-four percent found the beauty of their physical environment satisfying (the other 6% must be blind).

No. 4: Australia
Excellent education, strong personal freedoms, a tight-knit society. Australia's economy is strong, led by raw materials exports, but it's also a good place to start a business, with plentiful Internet connectivity and low startup costs. Aussies trust their government.

No. 3: Finland
Excellent education, universal health care, plentiful personal freedoms, trusted government, peaceful. Lots of R&D and low business startup costs give the Finns economic strength. But as is to be expected in a country with the highest redistribution of wealth, only 75% of Finns believe working hard will help them get ahead.

No. 2: Denmark
The world's lowest business startup costs, excellent education, unrestricted civil freedoms. Danes have overwhelming faith in their government and in each other, and report the highest standard of living in the world.

No. 1: Norway
The world's highest per-capita GDP at $53,000 a year. Spending on health care is second-highest after the U.S. An unparalleled 74% of Norwegians say other people can be trusted, 94% are happy with the beauty of their environment, and a very high 93% believe hard work will help them get ahead in life. Having a lot of oil and gas reserves helps.
[via Yahoo & Forbes]

America squeezing in the last spot, only other place I've been to on the list is Canada, nice place wouldn't want to live there though.

 

[AF.]

Good to see Australia up so high. Would obviously be so high due to the way we welcome immigrants and how much better Australia is in comparison to some of the countries they come from.

I would say I'm happy in Australia. Could be a lot safer, though. Corruption is pretty high, no way near America's level but still high.

 

[PHX]

Knew America wouldn't be high on this list tbh. For some reason was thinking Canada was gonna be higher on this list.

 

[PHIL DUNPHY'S MOUSTACHE]

Lol @ trusting our government. I hate Gillard with a furious passion. She only won the election because of Green's preferences.

Still, I'm ecstatic to live here. Couldn't see myself living anywhere else tbh

 

[AF.]

I prefer Liberal tbh. But I do trust the current government not to completely fuck up.

 

[PHIL DUNPHY'S MOUSTACHE]

Yeah, I'm Liberal as well.

She's fucking up with this National Broadband shit, and the tax levy on the flood relief payments that she's given.

 

[Kizza]

Aussies trust their government.

good joke. i dont trust gillard/greens for 1 second. it's even worse at state level. so amazingly corrupt.

still wouldnt want to live anywhere else.

 

[AF.]

My local council was corrupt. Fact.

 

[Chuck Norris]

Nobody in the right mind would trust their government.

 

[Medo]

I am shocked , where's Egypt ?

 

[Kylie]

Medo dear, considering the riots that are happening there at the moment because of the government, I'd take a wild guess and say that there aren't too many happy people there at the moment.

Not surprised Australia is that high up. Not being cocky (but am probably being biased), but it's a great place to live and I couldn't imagine living anywhere else. Had a real laugh about us trusting our Government. Glad Abbott didn't become PM but I don't trust Gillard as far as I can throw her. They're all full of shit. Love the comment about us being a tight-knit society. So true and if anyone didn't believe that before, see how we pull through for each other when disaster hits.

 

[Kizza]

I am shocked , where's Egypt ?

there it is

 

[Medo]

Medo dear, considering the riots that are happening there at the moment because of the government, I'd take a wild guess and say that there aren't too many happy people there at the moment.

I was just kidding Kylie, as for myself i can tell you that i have depression latley with all the shit going around here.

 

[Kizza]

are you one of those in favour of the new government?

 

[Kylie]

I don't blame you Medo. Just be careful out there please and hopefully all the protests and violence ends soon.