
AsianScientist (Feb. 10, 2012) – A new poll conducted by global research company Ipsos for What Makes You Happy Magazine finds that the world is a happier place than in 2007, with two percent more global citizens reporting that they are ‘very happy.’
While 8 in 10 (77%) citizens in 24 countries generally say they are ‘happy’ in their lives, one quarter (22%) report they are ‘very happy’ – a key measure of happiness that also tends to show the greatest amount of fluctuation.
The poll of 18,687 adults conducted from November 1 to 15 last year also demonstrates that those who are married (26% are ‘very happy’) appear to be the happiest when compared to all other groups, especially those who are not married (18%).
Who are the happiest people?
Nationally, Indonesia scores the happiest out of the 24 countries surveyed with 51% of citizens reporting they are ‘very happy,’ followed by India and Mexico at 43% each.
Brazil and Turkey tied at 30% each and Australia and the United States each at 28%.
On the other end, Hungary (6%), South Korea (7%), and Russia (8%) have the lowest number of ‘very happy’ people, followed by Spain (11%) and Italy (13%).
Regionally, Latin America has the greatest proportion of people saying they are ‘very happy’, with one third (32%) of their population responding this way. North America is next with 27% followed by Asia-Pacific and the Middle East and Africa tied (24%).
In Europe, only one in six (15%) say they are ‘very happy.’
Socio-economics play a role as those with a high education (25%) and those with a high household income (24%) are among those most likely to be ‘very happy’.
Measuring changes in happiness
Measuring the ‘very happy’ group, the greatest improvements are found in Turkey (up 16%) followed by Mexico (up 10%), Australia (up 7 points), Japan (up 6%), and India and Canada (each up 5%).
Two countries, China and Sweden, experienced no change.
Those countries experiencing the greatest drop in happiness intensity were Brazil (down 9%) followed by Indonesia (down 7%), Russia (down 6%), and South Africa (down 5%). South Korea dropped 1 point, same with the United States.
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Source: Ipsos Global.
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