1
Happy Countries
Norway is the Happiest country
89110(Gallup World Poll)WTOWorld Development
IndicatorsGDP(OCDE)(World Values Survey)8988What is happiness?
Whatever happiness is to you, theres some conditions under which it
most readily blossoms.The Legatum Prosperity Index indicatesNorway
is the happiest country in the worldThe Legatum Prosperity Index is
based on 89 different variables analysed across 110 nations around
the world. Source data includes CallupPoll, WTO,World Development
Indicators,GDP,World Intellectual Property Organization, UNHuman
Development Report,World Bank,OECD andWorld Values Survey. The 89
variables are grouped into 8 sub-indexes which are averaged using
equal weights. The 8 sub-indexes are Economy; Entrepreneurship
& Opportunity; Governance; Education; Health; Safety &
Security; Personal Freedom and Social Capital.For example, Personal
Freedom includes freedom of speech and religion, national tolerance
for immigrants and ethnic and racial minorities. The Social Capital
sub-index includes the percentage of citizens who volunteer, give
to charity, help strangers, and who feel they can rely on family
and friends.
Legatum Prosperity Index130
The thirty high prosperity index countries are considered as
happy countries.
001 NorwayFor the third year, Norway ranked no. 1. With per
capita GDP of $54,000 it is among the richest in the world and
ranks first in social capital and second in safety and security.
GDP54000
5
002 DenmarkDenmark is no. 2 for the third year. The tiny country
ranks first in entrepreneurship and opportunity, based on high
levels of social equality, high connectivity and the world's lowest
start-up costs.2:
6
003 AustraliaAustralia has moved up from fifth place in 2009,
the result of excellent education, an efficient government
bureaucracy and booming trade in natural resources.2 20099
03 AustraliaAustralia has moved up from fifth place in 2009, the
result of excellent education, an efficient government bureaucracy
and booming trade in natural resources.
7
004 New ZealandNew Zealand ranks no. 2 in governance, education
and personal freedom. No country ranks higher in tolerance for
immigrants. (Image of artist Grand Hughes, Napier, N.Z.).4
8
005 SwedenHigh levels of political participation and social
equality combine with environmental protection and 123 mobile
phones per 100 people to create a tech-savvy socialist paradise.5
100123
9
006 CanadaThe most prosperous nation in the Americas, Canada
ranks first in personal freedom. As befitting a giant landmass with
only 30 million people, Canada is very tolerant and welcoming.6
3
10
007 FinlandAs with its Scandinavian sisters, religion is an
afterthought in Finland, with just 13% attending church; yet it
ranks 3rd in education and entrepreneurship.7 13%
11
008 SwitzerlandNumber 1 in governance, 2nd in health and
economy. Sticking with the Franc rather than going Euro has helped
make Switzerland a bastion of stability in shaky Europe right
now.8
12
009 NetherlandsA robust democracy with broad civil liberties and
lots of social cohesion, 90% of the Dutch report deriving daily
enjoyment from their natural surroundings.9 90%
13
010 United StatesAn excellent place to start a business, the
U.S. also ranks no. 1 in health, a function of high immunizations,
clean water and the highest levels of gov't spending on
healthcare.10:
14
011 IrelandIreland ranks 35 in economy, with citizens expressing
no faith in financial institutions and pessimistic about jobs.
That's balanced out by a no. 3 ranking in safety and security.11
353
11 IrelandIreland ranks 35 in economy, with citizens expressing
no faith in financial institutions and pessimistic about jobs.
That's balanced out by a no. 3 ranking in safety and security.
15
012 IcelandRemote Iceland is first in safety and security and
third in health. Its economy has collapsed to 71st place.12 71
12 IcelandRemote Iceland is first in safety and security and
third in health. Its economy has collapsed to 71st place.
16
013 United KingdomStagnant economy and little confidence in the
financial sector, but the U.K. is relatively well governed and a
decent place to be an entrepreneur.13
13 United KingdomStagnant economy and little confidence in the
financial sector, but the U.K. is relatively well governed and a
decent place to be an entrepreneur.17
014 AustriaMore than 90% of Austrians are happy with their
ability to choose the course of their lives, yet only 62% think it
is a welcoming country for immigrants.14 90% 62%
14 AustriaMore than 90% of Austrians are happy with their
ability to choose the course of their lives, yet only 62% think it
is a welcoming country for immigrants.
18
15 GDP37000015 GermanyWith 81 million people, Germany is
Europe's biggest country. GDP per capita is $37,000.
15 GermanyWith 81 million people, Germany is Europe's biggest
country. GDP per capita is $37,000.
19
016 SingaporeSingapore ranks no. 1 in economic measures, with a
leading per capita GDP of $59,000. The streets are the world's
safest.16 GDP59000
16 SingaporeSingapore ranks no. 1 in economic measures, with a
leading per capita GDP of $59,000. The streets are the world's
safest.
20
017 BelgiumSurprising that Belgium ranks as high as 17 given
that it just took the country's rival French- and Dutch-speaking
halves 541 days to form a new government.17 17541
17 BelgiumSurprising that Belgium ranks as high as 17 given that
it just took the country's rival French- and Dutch-speaking halves
541 days to form a new government.
21
018 FranceFrance ranks 7th in health care, but 36th in social
capital, with very low levels of marriage and religious
observance.16 36
22
19 Hong KongEconomy is ranked 4th; savings rate of nearly 30%.19
30%
23
020 TaiwanRanked 9th in education, 12th in economics. Taiwan
just edges out Japan in the rankings.20 91220
24
021 JapanJapan is economically stable, but its citizens have low
confidence in the job market and overall economy.21
022 SloveniaThe Slovenian economy is productive and stable.
Inflation is less than 1%, and gross domestic savings are 25% of
GDP, placing Slovenia 37th, globally.22 1%GDP25%22
SpainGood health infrastructure and preventative care has
fostered a healthy Spanish populace.. Four out of five citizens are
satisfied with standards of living, but many are pessimistic about
Spains future growth.23
024 Korea RepublicWith an inflation rate of 3% and a savings
rate at just under 30% of GDP. South Koreas stable economy and firm
foundations for growth inspires high public confidence.
025 PortugalEconomy ranked 38th, Portugals economy is not in
dire condition, but its citizens are uncertain for their economic
future. 25 38
29
026 CzechA high rate of gross domestic savings of 27% of GDP
indicates a healthy economy and places the Czech Republic 24th. The
economy of the Czech Republic shows positive signs, with citizens
pessimistic about the future.26: 27%GDP24
Czech30
027 United State of EmirateGDP per capita $49499.52 ranked 3rd
globally, Emiratis are satisfied with their financial
wellbeing.
27: GDP 49499.52
United States of Emirate31
028 PolandWith GDP per capita $19887, despite a high growth
rate, the Polish economy suffers from high unemployment.29
GDP19887
028 Poland32
029 UruguayBeside of the high ranking personal freedom, the
Uruguayan economy grew at an annual average of almost 6% in GDP per
capita between 2005 and 2009, and Uruguayans are very optimistic
about further improving of economic conditions.29 20052009GDP6%
029 Uruguay33
ItalyItaly is just standing at the edge of high prosperity index
countries. Economy performs moderately on most variables, but the
population is pessimistic about future of the economy.30
030 Italy34
The EndEdited by zqPei
