http://www.mpphappy.ucoz.ru
Masha, this is a disaster! Thank you for this review. I listened to the program on "Mayak", but it said about the first place and about the last, and about Moscow, respectively. And I would never have thought that our small city would be in the penultimate place! Unlucky ones?
Statistics don't lie. Another thing is that the feeling of happiness is considered here as an objective category, but in fact it is a purely subjective feeling of those respondents who took part in this kind of survey. It is a pity that people rate their “happiness” so low, their satisfaction with life in their own city. Of course, ecology, landscaping, and the dynamics of the city's development, and even more so safety, play a big role in the feeling of satisfaction. However, I repeat that inside is outside, and it does not depend on objective factors! Such an unhappy official sits at his unhappy workplace, and seems to give the right orders to unfortunate subordinate organizations, as those who already give up from such misfortune. Here are the roads in the city, and the ecology, and improvement. Indeed, fortunately, our situation is catastrophic. You have to start with yourself. And here is the parable by the way:
One man wanted to change the world and asked God for this for 7 years. He did a lot of things, met with the leaders of states, organized large-scale actions to change the world, attracted hundreds and hundreds of people to spiritual practices, worked tirelessly. But the world has remained the same.
Then he said:
-Probably it is very difficult to change the whole world. Therefore, I will change my country. And the rest will see how good it has become in our country and will also change.
And he asked God for 700 days to change his country.
He came to the president of the country, received all the necessary powers and began to work, almost around the clock. I met with leaders of large factories, party leaders, regional leaders, etc. etc. But after 700 days, his country remained the same.
“That's bad luck,” the man said, “if I cannot change my country, I will at least change my hometown! Give me 7 months!
And during this time he met with every resident of the city, he hardly slept, showed not human activity, but: the city remained the same.
Then he got angry, he did so much and everything was in vain. Then he decided to change his wife and took himself 7 weeks for this. And you probably already know the result.
Then he sat down for the first time in many years and thought:
-Could it be possible at first to change yourself?
And he took 7 days for himself.
And after 7 days he changed, and when he changed, his wife, his city, his country and his world changed.
Thank you, Masha, for the topic of the next publication on my website.
What do Denmark, Costa Rica and Singapore have in common? The citizens of these countries live, as they say, like in Christ's bosom, believe in the higher meaning of being and enjoy every day - a minimum of stress and a maximum of joy.
Who is the happiest person in the world?
Maybe Alejandro Zuniga? A middle-aged man of good health, a loving father, he enjoys being with people and knows that he has several loyal friends to rely on. He rarely sleeps less than seven hours a day, commutes to work on foot and eats six servings of fruits and vegetables almost every day. He works no more than 40 hours a week, loves his job and gets along with colleagues. He devotes a few more hours a week to volunteering, and on weekends he goes to church and to football. In a word, day after day he chooses happiness, which is greatly facilitated by the presence of like-minded people, and also the green spaces and the temperate climate of the Central Valley of Costa Rica.
Another possible candidate is Sidse Klemmensen. Together with her devoted life partner and three young children, she lives in a close-knit commune - a housing partnership, where families are busy with the housework and looking after the children. Sidse is a sociologist, and with such a profession she has little time to rest. The whole family rides bicycles - to work, to school, to the store - a great way to stay in shape. Clemmensen pays high taxes from her modest salary, but she is provided with medical care, education for children and, in the future, a pension. In her native Aalborg, Denmark, people are confident that the government will not leave them in trouble.
And finally, the third contender for the title of the happiest person: Douglas Fu. A successful businessman, he drives a $ 750,000 BMW and lives in a $ 10 million home. Douglas has a wife and four children who delight their parents with excellent grades. As a schoolboy, he earned his own money for his studies and opened his own firm, which eventually turned into an international company worth $ 59 million.
Mr. Fu has earned the respect of his subordinates, colleagues, and everyone in the neighborhood. The success was worth a lot of effort, and, I'm sure Douglas, he would hardly have been able to arrange such a life for himself anywhere outside of Singapore.
Zuniga, Clemmensen and Fu represent three different types of happiness. I will name them pleasure, purposefulness, satisfaction with what has been achieved. In addition, each of our heroes lives in a country where this or that, "local" happiness flourishes on fertile soil.
After talking with all three applicants, getting in touch with their native culture, we will try to reveal the secret: why are people in these corners of the planet the happiest? Look at Zuniga - like many Costa Ricans, he lives day after day to the fullest, and the atmosphere around him reduces stress and multiplies joy. Scientists call this type of happiness experienced happiness, or positive affect. Measuring its level is very simple: respondents are asked how many times in the last 24 hours they smiled, laughed, or felt joy. Zunigi's homeland is the happiest country not only in Latin America. Judging by the polls, Zunigi's compatriots experience more positive emotions in their daily life than anyone else on the planet.
Clemmensen has had the kind of happiness that is characteristic of aspiring Danes. As with other forms of happiness, by default, basic needs are assumed to be met so that people can do what they love at work and during their leisure time. This is eudemonic happiness - this term comes from the ancient Greek word meaning "happiness, bliss." The concept itself became widespread thanks to Aristotle, who believed that true happiness comes only from a life filled with meaning - a deed worth labor. In conducting research, the Gallup Institute invites respondents to recall what interesting they learned or did yesterday. In Denmark, which has been consistently at the top of the rankings of the happiest countries in Europe for 40 years, people just find it easy to live. As for Mr. Fu, he, with all his energy and many talents, confirms the reputation of Singaporeans known for their fanatical drive for success. Their happiness is “life satisfaction”. To measure its level, sociologists often ask respondents to rate their life on a scale from zero to ten. This type of happiness is also called evaluative. All over the world, it is considered a measure of well-being. In terms of life satisfaction, Singapore is a confident leader among Asian countries.
Columbia University researchers, commissioned by the United Nations to publish the annual World Happiness Report, found that three-quarters of a person's happiness is determined by six factors: stable economic growth, healthy life expectancy, quality of social relations, generosity, trust and freedom. choose your own path. All these factors directly depend on the government of the country and its cultural values. In general, we can say that the happiest corners of the planet cultivate the happiness of their inhabitants. Zuniga, Clemmensen and Fu stubbornly pursue their goals - but not to the detriment of joy and laughter - and are proud of what they are doing now and what they have already achieved. In many situations, they are helped by their native land - country and city, street and house. The ground underfoot and the people around them provide support, continually encouraging them to do things that attract happiness.
COSTA RICA
JOY EVERY DAY: HEALTH, FAITH, FAMILYMATTHEW PAILY In the midst of a working day, Maria del Carmen Chorsrecha Patterson (right) decided to take a break: from the restaurant she runs in Limon, she went to a nearby bar to dance to incendiary music. Residents of Costa Rica always find time for little joys, family and friends.
Back to Alejandro Zuniga, a fruit and vegetable merchant at the central market in Cartago, east of San Jose, Costa Rica's capital. This big 57-year-old has been working here for many years. Whenever one of six dozen other traders falls ill or someone has trouble, it is Zunyga who collects financial aid. On weekends, he goes out to soccer games to cheer on his favorite team in the city, C.S. Cartaginés (team, alas, there are not enough stars from the sky, but this is not the main thing). Zunyga is a charismatic person and a born leader.
One evening his phone rang. “You won the lottery,” came the voice of a friend.
Zunige, the caller said, had a lucky ticket: he was owed 50 million colones (at that time about 93 thousand dollars). But Alejandro did not believe his friend, a well-known lover of practical jokes: it was a difficult day behind him, and besides, the avocados did not sell out. “I thought it was a stupid joke,” he recalls. "I have eight dollars left in my pocket."
In his hearts, he hung up.
The next day, when Zuniga came to work, he was greeted with a storm of applause. The news of the win spread throughout the district.
Feeling that his head was spinning, Zunyga moved along the counters, shaking hands with each merchant. Everyone knew: life did not spoil him. He grew up in a slum, dropped out of school at the age of 12 to earn his living, he had problems with alcohol, and at 20 the love of his life broke his heart: his beloved left him.
And now Zuniga suddenly became a millionaire, and his comrades mentally said goodbye to him, deciding that he would probably exchange them for a new, prosperous life. But week after week passed, and our hero was slowly distributing the riches that had fallen on him. A million columns to a friend who bought that lucky ticket. A million to the diner owner who fed him in times of famine. Another million to the familiar beggar in the marketplace, and the rest to his mother and the four mothers of their seven children. Less than a year later, he was already broke again. And he doesn't even care about grief. "I am absolutely happy!" Says Alejandro.
MATTHEW PAILY Only three students go to school in La Central, in a farming village an hour's drive from Cartago. In the photo: the trinity are having lunch in a cafe in the company of a teacher. The crucifix was brought here from the church during the eruption of the Turrialba volcano: it was believed that it would be safer here. Primary and secondary education is compulsory and free, and the country's literacy rate reaches 97.8%.
To understand its resilient nature, you need to know Costa Rica well, where geography and social policy have created a “cocktail of happiness”. Its components are: a strong family, universal health care, faith in God, a peaceful sky overhead, equality and generosity. These ingredients make up a recipe: how to get pleasure from life day after day. This is the key to the first form of happiness - pleasure. Here in Costa Rica, this love potion, tied to well-being, brings more happiness per dollar of GDP than anywhere else in the world.
Let's try to understand Alejandro. He has no car, no gold-diamonds, no expensive technology - but he does not need all this for happiness and self-respect. He lives in a country where the last 100 years have passed under the sign of the support of every citizen. In most of the Central American states, after gaining independence, large landowners reigned, whose interests were guarded by presidents who relied on the support of the army - but Costa Rica took a different path.
MATTHEW PAILY Paramedic Ileana Alvarez-Chavez, as part of the Costa Rican public health program, came to the 68-year-old single widow Mayela Orozco to measure an elderly woman's blood pressure and take tests. During the year, Alvarez-Chavez will visit every house in Paraiso. The emphasis on preventive medicine has helped reduce child mortality and increase life expectancy.
Inaccessible mountain ranges dug up by gorges did not contribute to the growth of plantations. But the international demand for coffee played into the hands of small owners and freedom-loving farmers in the Central Valley. Residents of Costa Rica elected teachers who were not burdened with colonial vestiges to presidency - their policies launched a spiral of prosperity. In 1869, Costa Rica passed a law making primary education compulsory for all children - and notably for girls as well. By 1930, the literacy rate was one of the highest in Latin America. At the same time, the authorities took care of clean water in the villages, declaring war on deadly childhood diseases, as well as cholera and diarrhea. By 1961, laws on national health care had been passed, and free health posts appeared in most villages. Costa Rica remains on course today. One winter morning, I asked for the company of paramedic Ileana Alvarez-Chavez when she went on a tour of patients in the lush green city of Paraiso in the Central Valley. Ileana is an Associate of Comprehensive Health Care Base Teams (EBAIS): This national system was created in the mid-1990s to support the health of the people of Costa Rica. Small teams - a doctor, a nurse, a registrar and several paramedics - are entrusted with taking care of the health of about three and a half thousand people. The daily detour for Alvarez Chavez is no less than a dozen houses. In each, she spends half an hour, because you need to make an entry in the medical record, measure the pressure, get vaccinated, give recommendations and make sure that the water is not stagnant anywhere (mosquitoes breed in stagnant water - carriers of the Zika virus). Visiting 89-year-old Aurora Brenes, Ileana made an inventory of all her medications, measured her blood pressure and wrote the old woman to her team's doctor. “I often catch the disease before it develops into diabetes or a heart attack,” says Alvarez-Chavez. “Many of my patients are lonely people, and they are grateful for the fact that someone is giving them attention.”
Since 1970, life expectancy in Costa Rica has jumped from 66 to 80, and infant mortality has dropped sevenfold. Compared to the United States, the death rate from heart disease among men is about a third lower, although health care costs per capita are ten times less. As former President Jose Maria Figueres Olsen argued, Costa Rica's health care system works so effectively because health is its top priority. “In the United States, there are spending-oriented incentives,” Figueres emphasized at the time. “And here for many years the emphasis has been placed on preventive medicine, because, frankly, the goal of a competent health policy is the same - so that people do not get sick.”
In short, Costa Rica's social system meets the basic needs of its citizens. Local Mariano Rojas, an economist and expert in the wisdoms of happiness and a fellow at the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences in Mexico City, speaks of this: people can earn their daily bread. "
DENMARK
WHEN BASIC NEEDS ARE SATISFIED, IT IS EASIER TO DO WHAT YOU LOVE 
CORI RICHARDS On a farm north of Copenhagen, schoolchildren collect vegetables they have grown themselves. It remains to prepare the collected items and eat together - all this is provided for by the program that teaches children to love and protect nature. The Danes love these kind of joint events.
Denmark also cares about the welfare of its citizens, and Sidse Klemmensen is just one of them. Sitting in her kitchen, this 35-year-old working mom - a young woman with short hair, sleeveless blouse and Moroccan slippers - sips her tea, gleaming a diamond in her nose.
“The state provides me with everything I need,” says Klemmensen. - Children are happy. I have a wonderful husband. And your favorite job. I know that nothing really terrible will happen to me. "
The Clemmensen family settled in Aalborg in a housing association - bofællesskab in Danish. Each of the 22 families owns a house, and the common area has a huge garden, laundry, workshop, warehouse, parking and dining room where you can share your meal with everyone.
The Housing Partnership is a sophisticated blend of private and public in a truly Scandinavian spirit, an apt metaphor for the entire Danish society, where trust and partnership play an important role. According to the sociologist at Copenhagen University Peter Gundelach, the evolution of Danish society goes back to the Second Schleswig War of 1864, when a quarter of the country's territory went to Prussia. “That defeat extinguished our desire to be a global superpower,” he says. - It pacified us. The government began to strengthen our national identity - to build pillars from within. "
CORI RICHARDS A Cuban immigrant, infected with a passion for communication from the Danes, dances with his half-Danish daughter on the lawn near the beach in Copenhagen, a favorite meeting place for the townspeople. The Danes have always warmly welcomed visitors, although the recent migration crisis has somewhat cooled their enthusiasm.
Danes from infancy are aware of their right to health care, education and financial protection. If a child appears in the family (including in same-sex marriage), the parents have the right to go on maternity leave for a whole year and receive a state allowance in the amount of almost full salary. In Denmark, people work hard, but on average less than 40 hours a week, and on vacation they go out for five weeks a year. The price of such generous social benefits is one of the highest income tax rates in the world. This versatile leveler allows the trash cleaner to actually earn more than a doctor.
“The happiness of Danes is closely related to their concept of tryghed - a sense of security, as if you were curled up in bed and you were tucked in a blanket from all sides. It starts with maternal love and ends with a relationship with the government, ”says Jonathan Schwartz, an American anthropologist who lives and works in Copenhagen. "The system doesn't so much guarantee happiness as it keeps people from doing things that make them unhappy." Another important component of happiness in Danish is the ability to find time for self-realization. Over 90 percent of Danes are members of a club or community of interests - from swimming in cold water to raising rabbits - and over 40 percent volunteer to join community organizations. “Danes seem to be more aware of the totality of human needs than anyone else,” says Mihai Csikszentmihalyi, a psychologist at Claremont Graduate University in California. - People need to be tested for strength. This is how we are made. Overcoming difficulties, we become more confident. Happiness is built on this ”.
SINGAPORE
THE ROAD THAT LEADS TO SUCCESS 
MATTHEW PAILY To mark the end of training, the soldiers make a night march to the world's largest floating stage. Military service builds a sense of purpose and unity by cementing strong bonds among the country's major ethnic groups. The army is a symbol of security so highly valued by the people of Singapore.
Singapore has found its own path to happiness. A prime example is Douglas Fu. Mr. Fu runs the largest fast food sushi chain in Singapore, Sakae Sushi, while making time to volunteer for 22 organizations. On a 14-hour workday, he dresses in one of the tailored blue suits and presides over a dozen meetings. His signature style is a combination of sophisticated ceremony, attentive concentration, determination and humor. His ability to defuse the situation with an unexpected burst of laughter, multiplied by tireless efficiency, earned him at least all the external trappings of "Singapore-style success." He will tell you that he is happy, but deep down he feels that he has not yet conquered one of the peaks. At 48, Fu walks through life in the ranks of generations - between those who desperately fought for life in the 1960s and stood at the cradle of independent Singapore and today's 20-year-olds. For half a century with a small country, located on a piece of land 49 kilometers long, from a fishing village has turned into a state where 5.8 million citizens live among thousands of skyscrapers and over one and a half hundred shopping centers - a metropolis lined with green streets. Success for Singaporeans lies at the end of a well-known path - follow the rules, study in a good school, find a good job, and it's in the bag! In an equal opportunity society, talent and hard work are always rewarded.
CORI RICHARDS Three family members are immersed in prayer over an urn with the ashes of a deceased relative. They participate in a dramatic online ceremony accompanied by a laser show at a luxurious columbarium. For many Singaporeans, wealth - and its showcase - is an important element in the formula for happiness.
Singaporeans may complain that prices are rising and at work they are spinning like squirrels in a wheel, but almost everyone talks about a sense of security and trust in each other. The creator of this social experiment was the late Lee Kuan Yew, who in 1965 led the movement for the independence of Singapore. Deeply respecting traditional Asian values, Lee set out to build a society based on harmony, respect and work. Everyone who took up work, even in the most modest field, could count on a decent income. Under the labor social security program, low wages were offset by subsidies for housing and health care. Although the bulk of the population is made up of Chinese (74.3%), Malays (13.4%) and Indians (9.1%), the Li government retained English as an intermediary language so that none of the nations could pull the blanket on myself. It guaranteed freedom of religion, equal education for all, and subsidized property purchases. As a result, Singaporeans today embody a third kind of happiness - the one that experts call life satisfaction. The indicator jumps up if you live in accordance with your own values and are proud of your achievements. You have achieved financial stability and high status and feel that you are in your place. Alas, the path to such happiness can take many years, and often we have to pay for it with those small, momentary joys, for which our life is so generous.
Recently, a study was carried out: in which country do the happiest people live. According to the polls, northern Europe turned out to be happier than southern Europe, while residents of the former USSR are more likely to feel unhappy than others.
The World Value Survey Foundation conducted a study aimed at identifying the countries where the happiest people on Earth live. To do this, a survey is conducted of people who answer two questions: "Do you think that, in general, you are very happy, happy enough, not very happy or not at all happy?" and "How satisfied are you in general with your life today?"
According to the results, it turned out that the happiest people in the world live in Denmark. Moreover, every year there are more and more Danes who are satisfied with life. The Danes' formula for happiness is simple: low taxes and a high level of technical development. In addition, most of the citizens of the "happiest country in the world" are well educated.
But if you look below, it becomes clear that the Danish formula is not a recipe for happiness for everyone. Because Puerto Rico is in second place among the happiest countries. But if everything is more or less clear with Puerto Rico - this island belongs to the United States, then Colombia is in third place. How this country, in which there is a civil war, in which a high level of crime, in which the majority of the population is poor as a church mouse, got into the top three of the happiest is a mystery. It remains only to sin on the coca growing in these parts - there is no other explanation for Colombian happiness.
In fact, the list of the happiest countries has many such amazing moments that do not correspond to the established stereotypes about this world. So, the second ten is opened by El Salvador, located between Austria and Malta. The United States is only in 16th place: people there are not much happier than the inhabitants of Guatemala. And the people of Venezuela, led by the cheerful Hugo Chavez, are happier than the people of Finland.
The last country with a positive happiness index is Azerbaijan. Opens the list of unfortunate countries - Macedonia. Of course, it is disturbing to live in a country when another country wants to rename your country.
Russia in this list got 88th place out of 97 possible. We are less happy than the people of Rwanda, Pakistan and Ethiopia. By the way, last year Esquire magazine cited a list of new English words, where the word "Russian" among the British is actually an analogue of the word "depressive". By the way, according to Russian polls, the citizens of our country are simply glowing with happiness. According to the VTsIOM poll, where the question of happiness appeared, 77% of our fellow citizens consider themselves happy. Although there were some surprises here: the residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg feel the worst of all, only 74% of them consider themselves to be happy people. Well, the happiest in our country are residents of the south, where 84% answered the question about happiness in the affirmative.
Researchers from the World Value Survey argue that the level of happiness around the world is only growing from year to year, but they are unable to explain this phenomenon. It is interesting that, on average, after 40 years, men feel happier than women, although before this age the weaker sex is among the leaders of happiness. It is also known that the older a person becomes, the more often he considers himself happy. Can we conclude from this that it is men who become wiser with age?
| № | Country | Happiness index |
| 1 | Denmark | 4,24 |
| 2 | Puerto Rico | 4,21 |
| 3 | Colombia | 4,18 |
| 4 | Iceland | 4,15 |
| 5 | Northern Ireland | 4,13 |
| 6 | Ireland | 4,12 |
| 7 | Switzerland | 3,96 |
| 8 | Holland | 3,77 |
| 9 | Canada | 3,76 |
| 10 | Austria | 3,68 |
| 11 | Salvador | 3,67 |
| 12 | Malta | 3,61 |
| 13 | Luxembourg | 3,61 |
| 14 | Sweden | 3,58 |
| 15 | New Zealand | 3,57 |
| 16 | USA | 3,55 |
| 17 | Guatemala | 3,53 |
| 18 | Mexico | 3,52 |
| 19 | Norway | 3,5 |
| 20 | Belgium | 3,4 |
| 21 | United Kingdom | 3,39 |
| 22 | Australia | 3,26 |
| 23 | Venezuela | 3,25 |
| 24 | Trinidad | 3,25 |
| 25 | Finland | 3,24 |
| 26 | Saudi Arabia | 3,17 |
| 27 | Thailand | 3,02 |
| 28 | Cyprus | 2,96 |
| 29 | Nigeria | 2,82 |
| 30 | Brazil | 2,81 |
| 31 | Singapore | 2,72 |
| 32 | Argentina | 2,69 |
| 33 | Andorra | 2,64 |
| 34 | Malaysia | 2,61 |
| 35 | West Germany | 2,6 |
| 36 | Vietnam | 2,52 |
| 37 | France | 2,5 |
| 38 | Philippines | 2,47 |
| 39 | Uruguay | 2,43 |
| 40 | Indonesia | 2,37 |
| 41 | Chile | 2,34 |
| 42 | Dominican Republic | 2,29 |
| 43 | Japan | 2,24 |
| 44 | Spain | 2,16 |
| 45 | Israel | 2,08 |
| 46 | Italy | 2,06 |
| 47 | Portugal | 2,01 |
| 48 | Taiwan | 1,83 |
| 49 | East Germany | 1,78 |
| 50 | Slovenia | 1,77 |
| 51 | Ghana | 1,73 |
| 52 | Poland | 1,66 |
| 53 | Czech | 1,66 |
| 54 | China | 1,64 |
| 55 | Mali | 1,62 |
| 56 | Kyrgyzstan | 1,59 |
| 57 | Jordan | 1,46 |
| 58 | Greece | 1,45 |
| 59 | South Africa | 1,39 |
| 60 | Turkey | 1,27 |
| 61 | Peru | 1,24 |
| 62 | South Korea | 1,23 |
| 63 | Hong Kong | 1,16 |
| 64 | Iran | 1,12 |
| 65 | Bangladesh | 1 |
| 66 | Bosnia | 0,94 |
| 67 | Croatia | 0,87 |
| 68 | Morocco | 0,87 |
| 69 | India | 0,85 |
| 70 | Uganda | 0,69 |
| 71 | Zambia | 0,68 |
| 72 | Algeria | 0,6 |
| 73 | Burkina Faso | 0,6 |
| 74 | Egypt | 0,52 |
| 75 | Slovakia | 0,41 |
| 76 | Hungary | 0,36 |
| 77 | Montenegro | 0,19 |
| 78 | Tanzania | 0,13 |
| 79 | Azerbaijan | 0,13 |
| 80 | Macedonia | -0.06 |
| 81 | Rwanda | -0.15 |
| 82 | Pakistan | -0.30 |
| 83 | Ethiopia | -0.30 |
| 84 | Estonia | -0.36 |
| 85 | Lithuania | -0.70 |
| 86 | Latvia | -0.75 |
| 87 | Romania | -0.88 |
| 88 | Russia | -1.01 |
| 89 | Georgia | -1.01 |
| 90 | Bulgaria | -1.09 |
| 91 | Iraq | -1.36 |
| 92 | Albania | -1.44 |
| 93 | Ukraine | -1.69 |
| 94 | Belarus | -1.74 |
| 95 | Moldova | -1.74 |
| 96 | Armenia | -1.80 |
| 97 | Zimbabwe | -1.92 |
Based on materials from Turist_ru.
According to opinion polls and based on special databases, ONN in 2015 compiled a list of 10 charming countries where the most positive and happy people live and work. Among the criteria according to which these lists were compiled, sociologists identified such as: weather, nature, education, medicine, ecology, salary. We present to your attention the countries that are included in the list of those where the happiest people on earth live.
1. Sweden
Sweden is famous not only for its snow-capped Alps, but also for Fika, a special coffee break. The fact is that Swedes take a break from work every 2 hours, which helps them to stay cheerful, positive and cheerful. Agree, sometimes uninterrupted sitting at the monitor and being involved in work problems without the slightest rest causes harm not only to the health of the employee, but also to the activities of the company that implements such a regime. The Swedes, in turn, understood the ideal mechanism for productive work, thereby providing motivation and a positive attitude to employees. It is worth noting that Sweden is one of the largest coffee consumers in the world.
2. Australia
Australia is considered one of the best countries to live in, as it has not only friendly people, but also a great atmosphere, with the lowest pollution levels in the world. According to statistics, Australians are the most affable people in the world, and this is not surprising - everything around constantly inspires fresh ideas and reduces the percentage of dissatisfaction with their lives.
3. New Zealand
New Zealand is considered another unusually happy country not far from Australia. What is the secret of the success of this small but incredibly beautiful country? Low pollution levels, diverse wildlife and inspiring wilderness landscapes make local people happy and happy, studies say. Undoubtedly, the more pleasant the atmosphere around us, the better the mood.
4. Netherlands
The Netherlands is considered one of the happiest countries due to the excellent sports training of the inhabitants of the whole country, and especially the capital - colorful Amsterdam. Residents of the city take pride in their well-maintained cycle paths, which in turn minimize stress. Why is that? Just remember your mood at a time when you are in an unrealistically long traffic jam and are late for work. By using bicycles as transport, this problem disappears by itself.
5. Canada
Canada is the country that most people around the world dream of moving to, and for a reason. The fact is that Canadians are considered one of the happiest nations due to their amazing nature and numerous national parks. Just look at the pictures of the local landscapes, and at the same moment you will want to be there for at least a couple of hours. And if all this splendor is observed every day? It is not surprising that such lucky ones as Canadians do not have to grieve over the gray days.
6. Finland
Another country that made the list of the 10 happiest in the world is Finland. The whole secret of the Finns' happiness, as they themselves repeatedly claim, is in their amazing miraculous sauna, in which everyone is steaming from little to great. Saunas in Finland are located literally at any step, allowing you to allocate time for relaxation, distracting from pressing problems and purifying the soul and body.
7. Norway
Norwegians consider their country one of the best in the world, and it is thanks to this attitude towards life that the inhabitants of this northern country consider themselves to be very happy people. It's true, if you live exactly where you would like to be - then what kind of sadness can we talk about? Norway has an amazing mountain called Skala. It is believed that this miraculous Rock takes away all their worries from people when they climb to its top.
8. Iceland
From the outside, Iceland may seem like a completely invisible and modest country. It is interesting that all significant government positions in the country are held by the fair sex, who perfectly organize the social life of the country. The unique nature of Iceland also plays an important role in the well-being of the country. Snowy landscapes, warm springs and pleasant atmosphere make life in the country easy and pleasant.
9.Switzerland
Switzerland is another country that can fully be called the place where the happiest people live. And it’s true: where the best chocolate in the world is produced, unhappy people cannot live. But besides chocolate, Switzerland is distinguished by exceptional hospitality and low environmental pollution. Among other things, the Swiss are madly in love with a healthy lifestyle and are everywhere involved in a variety of sports. For this rather straightforward reason, people with the lowest obesity rates live in Switzerland.
10. Denmark
Denmark, the birthplace of Shakespeare's Hamlet, is rightfully considered the happiest strange in the whole world. However, the inhabitants of Copenhagen and other cities in Denmark do not at all look like a sullen Danish prince. Danes pride themselves on their sense of cohesion and striking community. And what is also important - in Denmark, absolutely free medicine, and services are provided to the population at a very good level. Also, the country has free secondary and higher education, which gives the residents of the country a happy ticket to a secure future.
Gallup, the American Institute for Public Opinion Research, conducted a study to find out which countries have the happiest citizens.
The survey results were amazing because it was found that people living in the poorest countries do the best.
El Salvador, Paraguay, Uruguay, Trinidad and Tobago topped the list of the happiest countries.
What is the secret of Latin American happiness?
Happiest countries
Experts conducted a survey in 148 countries of the world in order to understand in which states citizens most often experience positive emotions. People were interviewed in person and by phone, and each respondent was asked five questions:
1. How much time do they spend resting?
2. Do they feel respected by others?
3. Do they often smile and have fun?
4. Are they doing something interesting in life?
5. Do they enjoy what they do and life in general?
In addition, the researchers were interested in the following question: do the respondents feel respect from their colleagues, and did they learn something new the day before?
According to the data received, the happiest people on the planet are citizens of El Salvador, Panama and Paraguay. These three countries are completely happy. The top ten includes 7 Latin American countries. In addition to the above, these are Venezuela, Ecuador, Guatemala and Costa Rica.
It should be noted that Russia did not even enter the hundred happiest countries, taking one of the last places (along with Iran and Algeria).
The happiest country in the world
However, despite the relatively small population and small size of the state, the standard of living here is relatively high. According to the study, the birth rate in the country is 20 people per 1000 (96th place among other countries), and the death rate is 4.5 people per 1000.
Mortality in Panama is practically the lowest (196 in the ranking). The average life expectancy is impressive: among women - 74 years, among men - 80 years. In Panama, the vast majority of people live in cities - 73 percent.
The country makes money through the exploitation of the Panama Canal, and treasury revenues come from the tourism industry, banking and insurance. Two thirds of the population work in these industries.
According to the UN, GDP per capita is about $ 12,000, which is pretty good for such a small country, whose production level is only 18 percent of annual GDP.
World analysts note that Panama is a country where people may well be satisfied with their standard of living. UN experts believe that the standard of living of people in Panama can easily be compared with that in North America, that is, in the United States and Canada, only the prices for goods and services among Latin Americans are several times lower.
For example, a meal in an upscale restaurant will cost about $ 50, while a taxi fare anywhere in the capital is $ 2.
The level of healthcare in the country, according to the experts of the International Committee of the Red Cross, is also high. Hospitals and clinics boast state-of-the-art equipment, and the doctors are highly qualified, as is the key to this level of health care.
It is worth noting that nearly all qualified doctors in Panama have been trained in the United States.
Of course, experts noted that the country's infrastructure and high quality of life were not the only factors that influenced the degree of happiness of citizens. The favorable climate has played a significant role.
Temperature practically throughout the year it is kept at the level of 25-28 degrees during the day. Panamanians will never see snow, and this is not surprising, because they are located near the equator. Panama also has rainy and dry seasons.
In 2005, Panama was ranked first in the global index of the world's most comfortable countries. Often, pensioners from different countries come here for permanent residence, because the country has one of the most developed pension systems in the world.
According to the American Association of Retirees and International Living, The USA has included Panama in the list of the four best countries in the world suitable for living.
Happiest and most optimistic countries:
1. Panama - 85 percent;
2. Paraguay - 85;
3. El Salvador - 84;
4. Venezuela - 84;
5. Trinidad and Tobago - 83;
6. Thailand - 83;
7. Guatemala - 82;
8. Philippines - 82;
9. Ecuador - 81.
The most unhappy and pessimistic countries:
1. Madagascar - 54 percent;
2. Lithuania - 54;
3. Belarus - 53;
4. Serbia - 52;
5. Yemen - 52;
6. Georgia - 52;
7. Iraq - 50;
8. Armenia - 49;
9.Singapore - 46.
Despite the fact that El Salvador and Paraguay took second and third places in the Gallup rating, experts say that the standard of living in these countries is quite low.
The urban population in these countries does not exceed 60 percent, and the economy is based on agriculture. The unemployment rate is higher than in Panama, but at the same time in these countries easier to find a job.
This is mainly labor in logging, cotton plantations and sugar cane plantations.
Life expectancy in other Latin American countries is the same as in Panama. For men it is 73 years, for women - 79 years. As for the level of health care, it leaves much to be desired.
For example, last year, Paraguayan doctors sounded the alarm because the state faced a yellow fever epidemic.
In 2012, the government asked the world community and international health organizations for 600,000 vaccines to prevent yellow fever.
Thus, the findings surprised the Gallup researchers, as it turned out that the happiest people live in the poorest countries of Latin America.
If the standard of living in Panama is comparable to that of developed European countries, then the inhabitants of states such as El Salvador, Uruguay, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago cannot boast of similar conditions.
Scientists explain this by the historically formed mentality of these people, who see happiness not in material welfare. According to them, people in poor countries can get joy from moral satisfaction, which is often inaccessible to citizens of developed countries.
The media gave an example of the attitude towards life of two people: one of them is a successful businessman from Singapore, and the other is a poor woman who sells tea on the streets of Paraguay.
“We keep working, but we are not getting the money we deserve,” complains 33-year-old Singaporean Richard Lowe. “Wealth does not bring happiness, only problems. Life is too short, so there is no place for sadness, ”said Maria Solis from Paraguay.
Singapore, Iraq and Armenia round off the list of the happiest countries. Perhaps it is true that it is not the standard of living, but the attitude of people towards it that matters?
