Do you live in one of the "happiest" countries?

I stumbled across this Forbes list of "happiest/saddest" countries for 2013. Didn't see a current thread (though my "search" skills leave a lot to be desired).

Top 10 "happiest" are as follows:

1 -Norway
2 -Switzerland
3 -Canada
4 -Sweden
5 -New Zealand
6 –Denmark
7 -Australia
8 -Finland
9 -Netherlands
10 -Luxembourg

U.S. is #11 this year.

I'm from the U.S., so I am curious if the ATS members from these top 10 countries feel their countries are indeed more prosperous, more "happy" -- and if they are positive places to live/work/play.

I've been drawn to the Scandinavian countries lately, wanting to visit, curious about life there. And I see many are on this list. I always thought it being colder, farther north so long dark winters -- would be depressing or difficult. Maybe I'm way off here

I see New Zealand and Australia too -- also countries I've wondered about in terms of living there.

Surprising to me is that Canada is so high on the list. That's great! And just over the Lake from me.

Would love to hear from you if you are from any of the top 10 countries!


Details/links (hopefully they work!) are below. Countries are rated based on peace, freedom, good healthcare, quality education, a functioning political system and plenty of opportunity.

Link to Forbes "slide show" : www.forbes.com...

Link to Forbes cover article: www.forbes.com...

Link to 2013 Legatum Prosperity Index™.www.prosperity.com...#!/

According to Discovery Source, the US comes in at 17th place (oddly enough, Mexico is higher).


Although I live in the US, I have travelled a bit. Happiness is ultimately relative, but generally speaking, the less people have to worry, the happier they feel in general.
Worrying comes from things like jobs, health, security, housing, etc...
So, it stands to reason that the more socialist style nations (not socialist nations, but a good degree of social programs on top of a general capitalist society) are of course the happiest. Don't worry, be happy sort of thing.

I can state that after visiting many lands, I am not as "happy" in the states as others are in their home country. I am however a citizen of the US, and have the mentality to try to improve verses just abandon and go elsewhere. Progress comes slow for americans generally speaking, young country, but already stuck in our own ways.

In Canada here.

No shortage of jobs that I have seen.

Real estate is affordable.

Health care...well look at my signature line.

Weather...hrmph.

Education, I would love for it to be free

Standard of living, Excellent! I love it here and have my plan to retire to the Caribbean!

I do live in Finland born here etc. I lived in Los Angeles for awhile and missed my home country way too much. When i came back it was amazing flight specially when reaching to Finland .. sky was in pastel colors and aurora borealis was welcoming me home
There is a huge difference when i compare peoples happiness here and States.. people here are much more connected to nature, more calm and peaceful. Chit chat is not that important the real connections are.

Im sure there are unhappy people in every country but in general i would say we are happy.

dollukka
I do live in Finland born here etc. I lived in Los Angeles for awhile and missed my home country way too much. When i came back it was amazing flight specially when reaching to Finland .. sky was in pastel colors and aurora borealis was welcoming me home

There is a huge difference when i compare peoples happiness here and States.. people here are much more connected to nature, more calm and peaceful. Chit chat is not that important the real connections are.

Im sure there are unhappy people in every country but in general i would say we are happy.

Wow--what a wonderful homecoming! That connectivity to nature--something that appeals to me quite a bit.

superman2012
In Canada here.

No shortage of jobs that I have seen.

Real estate is affordable.

Health care...well look at my signature line.

Weather...hrmph.

Education, I would love for it to be free

Standard of living, Excellent! I love it here and have my plan to retire to the Caribbean!

What province do you reside in? Just curious. Near a larger city or more rural? Weather - well... it can't all be bad!

SaturnFX
I can state that after visiting many lands, I am not as "happy" in the states as others are in their home country. I am however a citizen of the US, and have the mentality to try to improve verses just abandon and go elsewhere. Progress comes slow for americans generally speaking, young country, but already stuck in our own ways.

I don't know if I'll ever be able live outside the US, but I hope that I have the opportunity some day for at least some period of time. As a "foreigner" -- not sure I could ever get a true picture of what life is like somewhere else, as I'd always be from another land.

There's always that "grass is greener" thoughts -- and oftentimes it isn't any greener up close. I do love the outdoors, nature, scenery, history and community -- so it would be interesting to live somewhere for a time outside the States.

Galadriel

superman2012
In Canada here.

No shortage of jobs that I have seen.

Real estate is affordable.

Health care...well look at my signature line.

Weather...hrmph.

Education, I would love for it to be free

Standard of living, Excellent! I love it here and have my plan to retire to the Caribbean!

What province do you reside in? Just curious. Near a larger city or more rural? Weather - well... it can't all be bad!

edit on 18-11-2013 by Galadriel because: (no reason given)

Saskatchewan. I live in a town of just over 600. I've lived in Winnipeg, Calgary and Regina and enjoy the small town life way more. I would rather be in the Caribbean for their weather than another harsh winter. I can live with it, but why should I?

reply to post by Galadriel


Man... I sometimes really wish I would have moved my family to Norway when we originally were considering it. With the exception of NZ and Australia, these are all very cold climates. I often think it's the heat that turns people into violent asswipes.

I live in a high desert that gets very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. People are waaaaay more mellow, happy, and nicer in the winter time here.

I could be biased, though. I don't like it above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Coming from Denmark, and I can tell you that no one here should be unhappy for any reason.
Ofc, there is always children who don't have a happy life because of abouse or things like that. Thats understandable.

But for the majority of the people here should be happy. We have free education (we get money when we are on an education) Free health care. No freak weather, nothing.

Oprah once said we were the happiest country in the world, but you cant really say that.
But we have no worries, (atleast not me) But there are many teenage girls who thinks they have a miserable life. Thats bull#, and I can throw up everytime I hear a youngster complaining about their lifes.

But it depends on what you call happiness?

And for the weather, its not cold all year here 30 celcius in the summer time, thats fine for me!

Oh, I have btw heard that Denmark is a lot like Canada. People don't need to lock their doors at night, we aren't paranoid!

Canada here, and I agree with everything Superman said.
I'm north of Edmonton, in Alberta, I don't need to work, as my husband has more than enough work to keep us going.

Some people say there aren't enough jobs in Canada, but you need to live where the jobs are.
Lots of work in both Alberta and Saskatchewan.

I like the rural areas, and even though it's cold and snowy for 6 months of the year, it's not dark.
The daytime snow is almost blinding white, and it lights up the night when the ground is so white.

There's lots of wide open space to play in if you're into outdoorsy stuff.

Health care is decent, extremely well priced (no cost to go to the doctor or hospitals), although there is a bit of a doctor shortage.

Yeah, it's a happy place.

The results are SOOOOO Canadian.

"WE'RE #3. WE'RE #3!!!!!"

intrepid
The results are SOOOOO Canadian.

"WE'RE #3. WE'RE #3!!!!!"

I think perhaps we're just too polite to accept the #1 spot...

I can see why Norway is number 1, but the only thing that could make Finland lower than Canada is their youth in the military.

Canada needs to become more akin to Norway and have price control so the housing, utilities, and food is better priced altogether. We win in some areas, but not too many people live decently when they're paying mortgages and/or rent of 1500 or more a month.

Scandinavian countries are the most ideal in the world, then Denmark, Canada, New Zealand.

Norways form of proportional democracy is one of the best models of democracy in the world, but its not the same as Australia's form. In Norways, the votes aren't wasted, and I don't like majority governments, but prefer coalitions, with many many parties formed and many more women in positions. And public say, people should be the watchdogs of every system, the first level of government and a lot wiser than they are. Don't know how any country is doing that way.

Cuervo
reply to post by Galadriel

 

Man... I sometimes really wish I would have moved my family to Norway when we originally were considering it. With the exception of NZ and Australia, these are all very cold climates. I often think it's the heat that turns people into violent asswipes.

I live in a high desert that gets very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. People are waaaaay more mellow, happy, and nicer in the winter time here.

I could be biased, though. I don't like it above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

It's funny, I've never thought about Norway until the past year or so. Now I am interested every time I see it mentioned in an article or television program, etc. When I see a contest where the prize is a trip to Norway, Finland, Sweden or Iceland - I just have to enter. Sometimes the tourism board in Norway runs a contest for a trip on their website, for example.

Curious, what made you even consider Norway in the past? Perhaps your job or skill set? Other?

ypperst
Coming from Denmark, and I can tell you that no one here should be unhappy for any reason.
Ofc, there is always children who don't have a happy life because of abouse or things like that. Thats understandable.

But for the majority of the people here should be happy. We have free education (we get money when we are on an education) Free health care. No freak weather, nothing.

Oprah once said we were the happiest country in the world, but you cant really say that.
But we have no worries, (atleast not me) But there are many teenage girls who thinks they have a miserable life. Thats bull#, and I can throw up everytime I hear a youngster complaining about their lifes.

But it depends on what you call happiness?

And for the weather, its not cold all year here

30 celcius in the summer time, thats fine for me!

Oh, I have btw heard that Denmark is a lot like Canada. People don't need to lock their doors at night, we aren't paranoid!

edit on 11/18/2013 by ypperst because: (no reason given)

I thought that the Bhuma was the "happiest" country --I think it was Bhuma (sp?) that has the Gross National Happiness quotient or something to that effect ???? Anyway, I agree, it does depend on what one determines makes them "happy." I enjoy the ocean, beaches, nature. It would mean a lot to live in a country where getting to the sea would not be too difficult of a day trip. For another, the sea is not important, but having big city amenities may be. Or fly fishing. Whatever.

Don't lock your doors at night? I haven't done that -- ever!!!! So many attempted break-ins and breaks-in in my life that I can't imagine going to sleep without the doors and windows locked tight - and I'm in a "good" neighborhood.

sorry, double posted

Unity_99
I can see why Norway is number 1, but the only thing that could make Finland lower than Canada is their youth in the military.

Canada needs to become more akin to Norway and have price control so the housing, utilities, and food is better priced altogether. We win in some areas, but not too many people live decently when they're paying mortgages and/or rent of 1500 or more a month.

Scandinavian countries are the most ideal in the world, then Denmark, Canada, New Zealand.

Norways form of proportional democracy is one of the best models of democracy in the world, but its not the same as Australia's form. In Norways, the votes aren't wasted, and I don't like majority governments, but prefer coalitions, with many many parties formed and many more women in positions. And public say, people should be the watchdogs of every system, the first level of government and a lot wiser than they are. Don't know how any country is doing that way.

I read a lot, about a lot of things, and am more of a PBS, documentary, history, travel type of "tv viewer" -- but I realize that I despite reading a lot about many countries and cultures, there is so much I don't know. I am interested in learning more about the models of democracy you mention. I never really read much about the actual systems in place in these countries, and now I'm curious. Will definitely look into deeper. Thanks!

sorry - my computer keeps freezing and my posts aren't working right.

Galadriel

Cuervo
reply to post by Galadriel

 

Man... I sometimes really wish I would have moved my family to Norway when we originally were considering it. With the exception of NZ and Australia, these are all very cold climates. I often think it's the heat that turns people into violent asswipes.

I live in a high desert that gets very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. People are waaaaay more mellow, happy, and nicer in the winter time here.

I could be biased, though. I don't like it above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

It's funny, I've never thought about Norway until the past year or so. Now I am interested every time I see it mentioned in an article or television program, etc. When I see a contest where the prize is a trip to Norway, Finland, Sweden or Iceland - I just have to enter. Sometimes the tourism board in Norway runs a contest for a trip on their website, for example.

Curious, what made you even consider Norway in the past? Perhaps your job or skill set? Other?

More or less fate. Things were lining up that way and we wanted to raise our new daughter in a place where we wouldn't have to worry about her health care or education. Aside from that, the people are amazing and the climate is just simply magical.


ps edit - also the music, towns, political structure, just-about-everything-I-can-think-of.