Indonesians, Indians and those in Latin America most happy, but Europeans less happy than world average, says IPSOS report
There has been a 2% increase in the number of people across 24 countries who describe themselves as ‘very happy.’
Ongoing surveys of almost 19,000 adults by IPSOS for Canada’s What Makes You Happy magazine found that globally, 22% of people describe themselves as ‘very happy’ compared to 20% in 2007.
IPSOS, who interviewed participants last November, said that the number of people who describe themselves as ‘rather happy’ rarely fluctuates, but those saying they are ‘very happy’ is more prone to rise and fall.
Nationally, Indonesia scored the happiest out of the 24 countries surveyed with 51% reporting they are ‘very happy’ followed by India and Mexico at 43% each. Brazil and Turkey tied at 30% and Australia and the US 28%.
The UK response indicated that 21% of citizens are ‘very happy’. South Korea, Russia, Spain and Italy were all below 13%, while Hungary was down at 6%. Overall Europe came in at 15%.
The biggest improvements in the ‘very happy’ group were in Turkey – up by 16%, followed by Mexico, Australia, Japan, India and Canada.
According to the poll, men and women are equally happy, while married people are 8% happier than singles and older people are less happy.
