Life Satisfaction

Background

Measuring feelings can be very subjective, but is nonetheless a useful complement to more objective data when comparing quality of life across countries. The data can provide a personal evaluation of an individual’s health, education, income, personal fulfilment and social conditions. Surveys, in particular, are used to measure life satisfaction and happiness.

Life Satisfaction

Life satisfaction measures how people evaluate their life as a whole rather than their current feelings. It captures a reflective assessment of which life circumstances and conditions are important for subjective well-being. When asked about their life, nearly 59% of people in OECD countries say they are satisfied with their life at present and 68% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later. The Netherlands, Denmark and Finland all have the highest amount of people satisfied with their life (85% or more); in Hungary, Estonia, the Slovak Republic, and Turkey, less than 35% of people are satisfied with their life at present.

Happiness, or subjective well-being, is defined as the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and/or the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Across OECD countries, 72% of survey respondents reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative experiences (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). From 2006-2009, Iceland had the highest rate of positive experiences in the OECD area; Mexico and Canada also ranked high. Western and central European countries made up the bottom half of the list. Japan and Korea also reported low positive experiences.

Top Ranking

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Indicators

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Life Satisfaction in Detail by Country

Australia

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For Australia, which is characterized by high incomes and strong GDP growth over the past decade, self-reported life satisfaction is above the OECD average with Australia ranked eleventh within the OECD in 2008. In recent polling, 75% were satisfied with their life and 83% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later.

74% of people in Australia reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is higher than the OECD average of 72%.

Indicators

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Austria

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For Austria, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 73% were satisfied with their life and 75% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later.

75% of people in Austria reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is higher than the OECD average of 72%.

 

 

Indicators

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Belgium

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For Belgium, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 76% were satisfied with their life and 76% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later.

74% of people in Belgium reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is higher than the OECD average of 72%.

Indicators

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Canada

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For Canada, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 78% were satisfied with their life and 85% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later. This makes Canada one of the highest-ranked countries in terms of life satisfaction in the OECD.

80% of people in Canada reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is higher than the OECD average of 72%, and makes Canada one of the happiest countries in the OECD.

Indicators

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Chile

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For Chile, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 66% were satisfied with their life and 70% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later.

Indicators

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Czech Republic

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For the Czech Republic, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 56% were satisfied with their life and 64% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later.

62% of people in the Czech Republic reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is lower than the OECD average of 72% and makes the Czech Republic one of the unhappiest countries in the OECD.

 

 

Indicators

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Denmark

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For Denmark, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 90% were satisfied with their life and 92% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later. This makes Denmark one of the highest ranked OECD countries in terms of life satisfaction.

77% of people in Denmark reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is higher than the OECD average of 72%.

Indicators

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Estonia

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For Estonia, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 24% were satisfied with their life and 40% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later. This makes Estonia one of the lowest ranked OECD countries in terms of life satisfaction.

 

60% of people in Estonia reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is much lower than the OECD average of 72% and makes Estonia one of the unhappiest countries in the OECD.

 

 

Indicators

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Finland

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For Finland, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 86% were satisfied with their life and 88% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later. This makes Finland one of the highest ranked OECD countries in terms of life satisfaction.

 

73% of people in Finland reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is close to the OECD average of 72%.

Indicators

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France

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For France, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 51% were satisfied with their life and 64% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later. This is however a very low ranking when compared to other high-performing economies in the OECD.

73% of people in France reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is close to the OECD average of 72%.

Indicators

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Germany

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For Germany, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 56% were satisfied with their life and 58% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later. This is however a low ranking when compared to other high-performing economies in the OECD.

72% of people in Germany reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is close to the OECD average.

Indicators

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Greece

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For Greece, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 43% were satisfied with their life and 54% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later.

 

67% of people in Greece reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is lower than the OECD average of 72%.

 

 

Indicators

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Hungary

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For Hungary, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 23% were satisfied with their life and 36% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later. This makes Hungary the lowest ranked OECD country in terms of life satisfaction.

65% of people in Hungary reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is lower than the OECD average of 72% and makes Hungary one of the unhappiest countries in the OECD.

Indicators

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Iceland

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For Iceland, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 66% were satisfied with their life and 70% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later.

83% of people in Iceland reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is much higher than the OECD average of 72% and makes Iceland one of the happiest countries in the OECD.

Indicators

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Ireland

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For Ireland, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 68% were satisfied with their life and 79% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later.

77% of people in Ireland reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is higher than the OECD average of 72%.

Indicators

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Israel

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For Israel, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 72% were satisfied with their life and 81% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later.

Indicators

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Italy

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For Italy, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 54% were satisfied with their life and 70% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later.

73% of people in Italy reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is close to the OECD average of 72%.

Indicators

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Japan

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For Japan, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 40% were satisfied with their life and 40% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later. This is one of the lowest country expectations for future life satisfaction.

68% of people in Japan reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is lower than the OECD average of 72%.

Indicators

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Korea

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For Korea, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 36% were satisfied with their life but 60% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later. Future expectations represent nearly a doubling in life satisfaction – the largest increase in the OECD.

62% of people in Korea reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is lower than the OECD average of 72%.

Indicators

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Luxembourg

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For Luxembourg, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 66% were satisfied with their life and 68% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later.

74% of people in Luxembourg reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is slightly higher than the OECD average of 72%.

 

 

Indicators

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Mexico

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For Mexico, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 66% were satisfied with their life and 74% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later.

78% of people in Mexico reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is higher than the OECD average of 72%, and makes Mexico one of the happiest countries in the OECD.

Indicators

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Netherlands

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For the Netherlands, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 91% were satisfied with their life and 87% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later. This makes the Netherlands the highest ranked OECD country in terms of life satisfaction, but also the only country to expect a decrease in future life satisfaction.

 

72% of people in the Netherlands reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is close to the OECD average.

 

 

Indicators

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New Zealand

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For New Zealand, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 77% were satisfied with their life and 86% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later.

 

78% of people in New Zealand reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is higher than the OECD average of 72%, and makes New Zealand one of the happiest countries in the OECD.

 

 

Indicators

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Norway

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For Norway, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 84% were satisfied with their life and 90% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later. This makes Norway one of the highest-ranked OECD countries in terms of life satisfaction.

76% of people in Norway reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is higher than the OECD average of 72%.

Indicators

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Poland

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For Poland, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 35% were satisfied with their life and 51% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later.

68% of people in Poland reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is lower than the OECD average of 72%.

Indicators

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Portugal

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For Portugal, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 36% were satisfied with their life and 39% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later. These figures are very low when compared to the OECD average of 63% and 71% respectively.

73% of people in Portugal people reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is close to the OECD average of 72%.

Indicators

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Slovak Republic

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For the Slovak Republic, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 27% were satisfied with their life and 43% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later. These figures are very low when compared to the OECD average of 63% and 71% respectively.

 

61% of people in the Slovak Republic reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is lower than the OECD average of 72%, and makes the Slovak Republic one of the unhappiest countries in the OECD.

Indicators

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Slovenia

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For Slovenia, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 39% were satisfied with their life and 48% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later. These figures are very low when compared to the OECD average of 63% and 71% respectively.

66% of people in Slovenia reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is lower than the OECD average of 72%.

Indicators

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Spain

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For Spain, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 49% were satisfied with their life and 65% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later.

72% of people in Spain reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is close to the OECD average of 72%.

Indicators

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Sweden

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For Sweden, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 83% were satisfied with their life and 85% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later. These figures are high when compared to the OECD average of 63% and 71% respectively.

76% of people in Sweden reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is higher than the OECD average of 72%.

Indicators

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Switzerland

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For Switzerland, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 77% were satisfied with their life and 81% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later. These figures are high when compared to the OECD average of 63% and 71% respectively.

 

76% of people in Switzerland reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is higher than the OECD average of 72%.

Indicators

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Turkey

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For Turkey, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 28% were satisfied with their life and 43% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later. These figures are very low when compared to the OECD average of 63% and 71% respectively.

57% of people in Turkey reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is much lower than the OECD average of 72% and makes Turkey one of the unhappiest countries in the OECD.

Indicators

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United Kingdom

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For the United Kingdom, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 68% were satisfied with their life and 79% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later.

76% of people in the United Kingdom reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is higher than the OECD average of 72%.

Indicators

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United States

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Key Findings

Happiness can be measured in terms of life satisfaction, the presence of positive experiences and feelings, and the absence of negative experiences and feelings. Such measures, while subjective, are a useful complement to compare the quality of life across countries.

For the United States, like throughout much of the OECD, self-reported life satisfaction has been rising over the last decade. In recent polling, 70% were satisfied with their life and 80% believe that their life will be satisfying five years later.

76% of people in the United States reported having more positive experiences in an average day (feelings of rest, pride in accomplishment, enjoyment, etc) than negative ones (pain, worry, sadness, boredom, etc). This figure is higher than the OECD average of 72%.

Indicators

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