I was struck by The World Happiness Report. This document edited by Jeffery Sachs, of Columbia University with John Helliwell and Richard Layard identifies the Top Ten Happiest Countries are:
- Denmark
- Finland
- Norway
- The Netherlands
- Canada
- Switzerland
- Sweden
- New Zealand
- Australia
- Ireland.
The 10 least happy countries:
- Togo
- Benin
- Central African Republic
- Sierra Leone
- Burundi
- Comoros
- Haiti
- Tanzania
- Congo (Brazzaville)
- Bulgaria.
The report noted that social factors such strength of social support, the absence of corruption and the degree of personal freedom were more important than wealth. Sachs said: "The US has had a three-time increase of GNP per capita since 1960 but the happiness needle hasn't budged. Other countries have pursued other policies and achieved much greater gains of happiness, even at much lower levels of per capita income."
The report also lists a number of practical suggestions to promote happiness including:
- helping people meet their basic needs
- reinforcing social systems
- implementing active labour policies
- improving mental health services
- promoting compassion, altruism and honesty
- helping the public resist hyper-commercialism
Food for thought.
