Who's the Happiest of them All?

while every girls are trying to put their status as Paris, Miami, or New York in facebook, i thought of searching about these countries until i decided to search about different places in the world. i saw a lot of most's in google (most beautiful, most scenic even most corrupt, etc.) and i wonder if there is such survey about the world's HAPPIEST country. to my surprise, there really is such survey as that and this is what i'll share to you. let's know who's the happiest of them all.

HAPPINESS is something that is very hard to be measured. The meaning of happiness is different to everyone. What can make me happy sometimes doesn't mean anything to others and vice versa. Some people are happy when it is raining while some are happy when the sun is brightly shining. Some loves the sunset, some loves the sun rise more. Happiness is very subjective so i really salute who did and how this survey was done.

How was this survey done? Researchers at the Gallup World Poll went about it by surveying thousands of respondents in 155 countries, between 2005 and 2009, in order to measure two types of well-being.

First they asked subjects to reflect on their overall satisfaction with their lives, and ranked their answers using a "life evaluation" score from 1 to 10. Then they asked questions about how each subject had felt the previous day. Those answers allowed researchers to score their "daily experiences"--things like whether they felt well-rested, respected, free of pain and intellectually engaged. Subjects that reported high scores were considered "thriving." The percentage of thriving individuals in each country determined the rankings.

Who's the Happiest of them All? Here are the TOP 10 HAPPIEST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD:

10. Australia

Australia is the only country in the world, that consists of an entire continent. Between 1788 and 1868 the British used Australia as a colony to deport their convicted criminals – these people are the predecessors to many of today’s citizens. Australians are famous for playing rugby and calling each-other “mates.”

9. Switzerland

Possibly, it is the chocolate, the superior cuisine, other the forever present “efficiency” of the each and everything starting from the watches to the vehicles, on the other hand it is not just the citizens of this country who enjoy each and everything that is “Swiss”. Switzerland is also one of the few frequently visited tourist destinations in Europe.

8. Canada

Canada is known to be the second largest country in the world. It is the largest country in North America. Canada is well-known all across the world for its huge unharmed landscape and the unique culture. Also, it is one of the major tourist destinations around the world. It is regarded as one of the wealthiest countries all over the world. The locals here are extremely friendly and welcome overseas tourists with their arms stretched out.

7. New Zealand

New Zealand's quality of life/cost of living balance is fair meaning that you don’t have to work ridiculously long hours to achieve a decent standard of living. Real estate values haven’t rocketed as high as Britain’s did in direct comparison, making it still a nation where you can afford a decent home – and the natural environment in New Zealand is enough to lift your spirits on a daily basis!

6. Costa Rica

Costa Rica wins the day, for achieving contentment and longevity in an environmentally sustainable way. It has done an unusually good job preserving nature, and it’s surely easier to be happy while basking in sunshine and greenery than while shivering up north and suffering “nature deficit disorder."

5. Netherlands

Residents of the Netherlands are the most satisfied with the areas where they live, according to a survey of 23 countries. Market research company asked about 23,000 people if they were satisfied with their local area and found that job prospects, clean streets and the level of crime and public transport were major factors in people's happiness.

4. Sweden

Sweden attracts numerous tourists every year, due to its charming towns, exceptional food, extensive parks, and its massage parlor, each and everything adds up together to make Sweden one of the few happiest locations all over the world. Contrary to popular belief, Swedes are quite OK with their high taxes. After all it gives them tons of free and high quality services – what’s not to be happy about!

3. Norway

Norway tops the annual Prosperity Index that covers 90% of the world’s population and takes into account education, health, personal freedom, safety, security and democracy. This are the major needs of the people in a certain country, nobody can't be happy when these all are given!

2. Finland

This is the country that brought us Nokia – the worlds largest manufacturer of mobile phones. In 2003 Nokia accounted for about a quarter of Finland’s exports and in 2006 it generated more revenue than the entire budget of Finland. Before starting to make mobile phones Nokia made (yes, it’s true) rubber boots! According to World Economic Forum Finland has the most competitive economy in the world. Plenty to be happy about!

1. Denmark

Just like Sweden, Denmark is a Nordic welfare state with most of its services free to the citizens. Expect to pay 72% of your money to the government on the highest income tax bracket. According to Wikipedia, Denmark has the worlds highest taxes! When buying a car in Denmark one has to pay 25% VAT to the import price of the vehicle and then a 180% registration tax on top. That’s why people in Denmark ride bikes or use one of the best public transport systems in the world. The country of Denmark is renowned for its lenient policies, which includes the legalization of drugs and prostitution. It is also famous for its undisturbed and friendly speed, the lovely architecture, excellent cuisine and the traditional welcome that is offered to all of its foreign visitors. A lot to be happy about!

another thing i've read states that Money Matters.

The Gallup researchers found evidence of what many have long suspected: money does buy happiness--at least a certain kind of it. In a related report, they studied the reasons why countries with high gross domestic products won out for well-being, and found an association between life satisfaction and income.

oh i wanna see these places!

it's nice to know things like these. i am hoping that one day, Philippines will be listed as one of the world's happiest countries. let us do our part in making it happen. in the end, still, HAPPINESS IS OUR CHOICE, right?

one thing i like about this blog post? sssshhhhh. it's the top 1! haha! :)

here's the complete list:

RANK (BY % THRIVING)	COUNTRY	REGION	PERCENT THRIVING	PERCENT STRUGGLING	PERCENT SUFFERING	DAILY EXPERIENCE
1	Denmark	Europe	82	17	1	7.9
2	Finland	Europe	75	23	2	7.8
3	Norway	Europe	69	31	0	7.9
4	Sweden	Europe	68	30	2	7.9
4	Netherlands	Europe	68	32	1	7.7
6	Costa Rica	Americas	63	35	2	8.1
6	New Zealand	Asia	63	35	2	7.6
8	Canada	Americas	62	36	2	7.6
8	Switzerland	Europe	62	36	2	7.6
8	Australia	Asia	62	35	3	7.5
8	Israel	Asia	62	35	3	6.4
12	Brazil	Americas	58	40	2	7.5
12	Panama	Americas	58	39	3	8.4
14	United States	Americas	57	40	3	7.3
14	Austria	Europe	57	40	3	7.7
16	Belgium	Europe	56	41	3	7.3
17	United Kingdom	Europe	54	44	2	7.4
18	Mexico	Americas	52	43	5	7.7
18	Turkmenistan	Asia	52	47	1	7.5
20	United Arab Emirates	Asia	51	48	1	7.7
21	Venezuela	Americas	50	48	2	8.0
22	Ireland	Europe	49	49	2	7.5
23	Puerto Rico	Americas	47	45	8	7.6
23	Kuwait	Asia	47	50	3	7.0
23	Iceland	Europe	47	49	4	8.2
26	Colombia	Americas	46	47	7	7.7
26	Jamaica	Americas	46	49	5	7.7
28	Cyprus	Asia	45	50	5	6.6
28	Luxembourg	Europe	45	54	1	7.3
30	Argentina	Americas	44	50	6	7.8
30	Belize	Americas	44	50	6	6.8
30	Trinidad and Tobago	Americas	44	51	5	7.9
33	Germany	Europe	43	50	7	7.4
34	El Salvador	Americas	42	51	7	7.7
35	Qatar	Asia	41	58	1	6.8
35	Chile	Americas	41	52	7	7.3
35	Uruguay	Americas	41	54	5	7.5
38	Guatemala	Americas	40	50	10	7.7
38	Malta	Europe	40	48	12	6.6
40	Czech Republic	Europe	39	51	9	6.6
40	Italy	Europe	39	54	7	7.1
42	Honduras	Americas	37	49	14	7.5
43	Spain	Europe	36	58	6	7.0
44	Dominican Republic	Americas	35	54	11	7.3
44	France	Europe	35	60	6	7.0
46	Bolivia	Americas	34	59	7	7.0
46	Ecuador	Americas	34	52	15	7.6
48	Paraguay	Americas	32	59	9	8.3
48	Bahrain	Asia	32	45	23	7.0
50	Guyana	Americas	31	64	5	7.0
50	Greece	Europe	31	57	11	7.0
52	Nicaragua	Americas	30	53	17	7.4
52	Jordan	Asia	30	61	8	6.7
54	Belarus	Europe	29	59	12	6.5
54	Kosovo	Europe	29	65	6	6.2
56	South Korea	Asia	28	61	12	6.9
56	Poland	Europe	28	61	10	7.1
58	Slovenia	Europe	27	57	16	6.8
58	Saudi Arabia	Asia	27	69	3	6.7
58	Pakistan	Asia	27	50	23	6.2
61	Croatia	Europe	26	60	14	6.2
61	Montenegro	Europe	26	58	16	6.2
63	Moldova	Europe	25	62	13	6.1
63	Lithuania	Europe	25	57	18	6.2
63	Peru	Americas	25	65	11	7.2
63	Malawi	Africa	25	64	10	8.0
67	Libya*	Africa	24	68	8	6.0
67	Botswana	Africa	24	65	11	7.3
67	Cuba*	Americas	24	66	11	6.7
70	Kazakhstan	Asia	22	72	6	7.2
70	Taiwan	Asia	22	64	14	7.5
70	Portugal	Europe	22	61	17	7.1
73	South Africa	Africa	21	71	8	7.3
73	Lebanon	Asia	21	64	15	6.3
73	Russia	Europe	21	57	22	7.0
73	Ukraine	Europe	21	53	26	6.6
73	Romania	Europe	21	56	23	6.6
73	Slovakia	Europe	21	60	19	6.5
79	Thailand	Asia	20	75	5	8.0
79	Bosnia and Herzegovina	Europe	20	59	20	6.2
81	Iran	Asia	19	66	14	6.3
81	Hong Kong	Asia	19	65	16	7.1
81	Singapore	Asia	19	75	6	6.9
81	Japan	Asia	19	69	12	7.4
85	Uzbekistan	Asia	18	75	6	7.8
85	Nigeria	Africa	18	78	4	7.3
85	Indonesia	Asia	18	72	10	8.2
85	Somaliland	Africa	18	77	5	7.1
85	Algeria	Africa	18	77	6	6.7
90	Estonia	Europe	17	62	21	6.8
91	Serbia	Europe	16	63	21	6.2
91	Bangladesh	Asia	16	71	13	6.9
91	Myanmar*	Asia	16	82	2	7.1
94	Malaysia	Asia	15	80	5	8.1
94	Philippines	Asia	15	68	18	7.2
96	Cameroon	Africa	14	77	9	7.0
96	Tunisia	Africa	14	77	9	6.8
96	Zambia	Africa	14	78	8	7.6
96	Yemen	Asia	14	62	24	6.3
96	Vietnam	Asia	14	76	10	6.9
96	Palestinian Territories	Asia	14	70	15	5.8
96	Macedonia	Europe	14	54	32	6.8
103	Turkey	Asia	13	67	20	6.0
103	Kyrgyzstan	Asia	13	81	7	7.3
103	Azerbaijan	Asia	13	70	17	6.6
103	Hungary	Europe	13	53	34	6.9
103	Albania	Europe	13	67	19	5.6
108	Central African Republic	Africa	12	75	13	6.4
108	Ethiopia	Africa	12	67	21	6.4
110	Angola	Africa	11	81	8	6.8
110	Armenia	Asia	11	55	33	5.9
110	Iraq	Asia	11	71	18	5.2
110	Latvia	Europe	11	64	25	6.5
110	Namibia	Africa	11	79	10	8.1
115	Afghanistan	Asia	10	69	21	6.2
115	Zimbabwe	Africa	10	73	17	7.3
115	Morocco	Africa	10	80	10	7.0
115	Sri Lanka	Asia	10	66	24	6.9
115	India	Asia	10	69	21	6.9
115	Syria	Asia	10	66	24	6.8
115	Georgia	Asia	10	56	35	6.2
115	Mauritania	Africa	10	83	7	7.2
115	Mozambique	Africa	10	78	11	7.2
115	Egypt	Africa	10	71	19	6.1
125	Kenya	Africa	9	78	13	7.5
125	Ghana	Africa	9	83	8	7.5
125	China	Asia	9	77	14	7.6
128	Guinea	Africa	8	89	3	7.1
128	Congo (Brazzaville)	Africa	8	73	20	6.9
130	Sudan	Africa	7	81	12	7.4
130	Djibouti	Africa	7	86	8	7.5
130	Madagascar	Africa	7	84	10	7.0
130	Nepal	Asia	7	82	11	7.4
130	Mongolia	Asia	7	81	12	7.0
130	Laos	Asia	7	89	4	7.1
130	Tajikistan	Asia	7	74	19	6.5
137	Uganda	Africa	6	71	23	6.8
137	Tanzania	Africa	6	70	24	7.5
137	Senegal	Africa	6	88	6	7.3
137	Bulgaria	Europe	6	58	36	6.5
141	Chad	Africa	5	88	7	7.1
141	Liberia	Africa	5	90	5	6.7
141	Mali	Africa	5	77	18	8.0
144	Haiti	Americas	4	60	35	6.2
144	Benin	Africa	4	80	16	6.7
144	Congo (Kinshasa)	Africa	4	85	11	6.4
144	Ivory Coast	Africa	4	84	12	7.2
148	Niger	Africa	3	86	11	7.9
148	Rwanda	Africa	3	75	22	7.8
148	Burkina Faso	Africa	3	71	26	6.5
148	Sierra Leone	Africa	3	74	23	6.3
148	Cambodia	Asia	3	75	22	7.6
153	Comoros	Africa	2	75	23	7.7
153	Burundi	Africa	2	58	40	7.5
155	Togo	Africa	1	67	31	5.0

source: The World's Happiest Countries