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Friday, January 18, 2008

Happiness (worldwide!)

Ruut Veenhoven, known as professor of happiness, has spent more than 30 years on happiness. He has categorized all those happy and unhappy countries. Happiest ones are Denmark, Switzerland, Austria,... while unhappiest people are listed to be Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Moldavia, Ukrane, Armenia, Georgia, Bulgaria, Pakistan, Russia (Ref. Metro daily, Spain, 18 Jan 2008).

He introduces three factors which are deterministic in making a nation happier than others: Democracy, Living status (health,...), and creating a climate of tolerance in the whole nation.

But do you believe that such kind of formulation is the right one?
I doubt it because for example Spain is ranked as number 26 in this listing.

What factors determine the state (or level) of happiness?