Believe it or not, the United States is not the happiest country on Earth. Despite being hailed as the land where dreams come true, the USA finished 23rd in a happiness pole. In case you were wondering, this pole was taken before the recession. So what is the happiest place on Earth? Denmark.
Denmark is the happiest country in the world despite going against three things that Americans correlate to their happiness. Firstly, Denmark is a country that claims the highest taxes in the world. Tax is directly correlated to income and can be as high as 63%. This results in a much smaller gap between the wealthy and the poor.
The second thing involves religion. Denmark is not very religious. Denmark has the third highest percentage of atheists within its population. The Danes believe in humanity.
The third thing involves marriage. The Danish believe that the relationship is the most important thing, not simply being married. Most Danes finish work around 4pm, allowing for ample time with loved ones. The relationships are more important than the legality of the relationships. In 2004, 60% of first-borns were born out of wedlock.
If these things make the Danes so happy, then I understand why the Republicans are always so angry.
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Very good points. What disturbs me is New York is the most unhappy of the United States - and I'm a New Yorker (not a native New Yorker). They are unhappy because of the economy, high taxes, corrupt government officials, long winters and short rainy summers, etc, etc. My feeling and experience is a little different. After living in a variety of states and countries I feel that happiness is more a state of mind than a collection of expectations. I believe most New Yorkers and Americans have lofty expectations that cause them to feel these little negative blips in life equal negative emotions - unhappiness. What people need to focus on the basics: Relationships with loved ones, Health, searching for Opportunities and Acting on them. Americans need to stop focusing on what we don't have and be thankful and Happy for what we do have!!
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