Happiest places in the world

So why does Denmark always top the ‘world happiest countries surveys’? A combination of cycling and summerhouses? The fame thrust on them by Hamlet? My favourite answer is that they generally have very low expectations in life, so they’re rarely disappointed.

There has been an ‘upward trend’ of happiness across the globe (well, at least in the 52 countries they researched) since 1981 according to the World Values Survey organisation. They attribute this burst of happiness to economic development, democratisation, and increasing social tolerance, but is this really a true measure of happiness?

What is it that makes a place just feel ‘happy’?

We’ve all stepped off a plane, into a room, or just spent a moment with someone who feels genuinely warm and buoyant. Once basic needs are taken care of, high GDP is often an indicator of happiness, but as you’ll see from Malawi below, this is too simplistic. Instead of following the various happy survey results – we’ve pulled out four of our ‘happiest’ destinations:

Bhutan – The country that famously values Gross National Happiness over GDP. When you experience your first beaming smile from a huddle of trainee monks, you’ll know why.
Malawi – Despite being one the poorest countries in the world, Malawi is commonly known as the ‘warm heart of Africa’ thanks to the friendly and warm welcome visitors always experience.
Costa Rica – Army-less Costa Rica’s population embrace the national philosophy of Pura Vida – a commitment to celebrating a peaceful way of life. True to form, they’re a charming bunch.
Denmark – Forget the studied grimness of TV series The Killing, Denmark is officially the happiest place on Earth. Probably because they’ve got Noma, now (also) officially the world’s best restaurant.

Is this accurate?

Obviously happiness is subjective. You can also be happy as a lark sitting in your cosy front room. That’s great too, but if we’re going to start quantifying anything, happiness feels like a pretty good start. It seems happiness isn’t linked to wealth and status, it’s more about that Danish term hygge – the belief that great pleasure can be found in even the simplest of activities.