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rpautrey2 · Guest

Denmark 'world's happiest nation'
Denmark is the happiest country in the world, according to the latest

World Values Survey published by the United States National Science
Foundation.

The annual study surveyed people in 97 countries to discover who is
happiest.

The survey asked people two simple questions about their happiness and
their level of satisfaction with life.

Puerto Rico and Colombia completed the top three happiest nations.
Zimbabwe was found to be the least happy, with Russia and Iraq also in
the bottom 10.

The study was directed by University of Michigan professor Ronald
Inglehart. He says that unlike other studies, which have focused on
economic factors, his research has found that financial prosperity is
not the only reason for happiness.

"Our research indicates prosperity is linked with happiness. It does
contribute," he says, "but it is not the most important factor.

"Personal freedom is even more important, and it's freedom in all
kinds of ways. Political freedom, like with democracy and freedom of
choice."

A happier world

The world is becoming a happier place overall, according to the
survey, which has been conducted since 1981.

Dr Inglehart says that gender equality is also an indicator of
happiness, as is rising social tolerance. He says that both of these
things have risen dramatically in recent years.

The world's wealthiest nation, the United States, was found to be the
world's 16th happiest country, behind Switzerland, Canada and Sweden.

The study also found that the countries at the bottom of the list all
struggle with widespread poverty or authoritarian governments.

Zimbabwe, which is gripped by hyperinflation, and has recently seen a
controversial presidential election marred by violence, was found to
be the least happy nation amongst the countries covered by the
survey.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/in_depth/7487143.stm

Published: 2008/07/03 11:25:06 GMT

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