Vancouver Sun , Canada
July 28, 2006

Happy days! We’re No. 10

Canadian Press
Published: Friday, July 28, 2006

Canada is the 10th happiest country on a map of "world happiness"
showing the degree of well-being of the population of 178 countries,
according to researcher Adrian White of the University of Leicester
in England.

What makes Canadians smile? Free health care, the country’s wealth
and access to secondary-level education are ranked as the top three
reasons Canadians are happy.

Asked why he’s happy to be Canadian, Vancouver resident Tariq Ahmet,
23, said he’s proud of his country.

"It is important for us, as a country of wealth, to be an example for
the rest of the world."

White, who is known as an analytic social psychologist, used more
than 100 studies to create the first happiness world map, which was
released Thursday.

His research found the countries with the saddest populations are
those recovering from war or in a state of war, and that also have
high poverty rates.

In a press release White said, "when people are asked if they are
happy with their lives, people in countries with good health care, a
higher GDP per capita and access to education were much more likely
to report being happy."

As for why Denmark ranked as the happiest country in the world, White
said it had the highest satisfaction-with-life rating.

North Vancouver resident Eirk Esmann immigrated to Canada from
Denmark 39 years ago, but said the country has changed a lot since he
left.

"It was harder then, than it is now," said Esmann. Now, he said, "you
are assured you will have a decent living."

Asked how Canada compares to Denmark, Esmann said: "It is a little
more laid back than it is here."

As for why Switzerland, at No. 2, ranks so high in the happiness
stakes, Swiss immigrant Fabienne Burgener said it’s the high standard
of living, strong social security system and the country’s
predilection for orderliness.

"Everyone is very organized, and on time, that is a priority," said
Burgener, 28, a Vancouver resident who has been in Canada for six
years. "It is a really nice country."

The Swiss chocolate doesn’t hurt either, she added.

Armenia was close to the bottom of the happiness list, at 172nd, but
Armenian singer Mariam Matossian said it is a country with a lot of
hope.

"Armenia taught me not to take things for granted," said Matossian, a
Vancouver resident. "They might not have a lot of stuff, I saw joy in
the people who are struggling."

Study researcher White said that in recent years, there has been a
growing debate, particularly in England, over whether countries
should focus more on societal happiness than on wealth creation.

"When you look at the map, it really hits home that we’re actually
doing quite well [in the West] and it’s the poorer countries that are
deprived of the health care and education that we have."

"Countries with huge populations like China, India and Russia —
82nd, 125th and 167th, respectively on the map — tend to do quite
badly," White said.

htravis@png.canwest.com

– – –

WHERE CAN WE FIND HAPPINESS?

A study by Leicester University ranks 178 countries using health,
wealth and education as yardsticks of overall happiness. Canada ranks
10th in the study, while the U.S. is 23rd, China is 82nd and India is
125th.

MOST HAPPY

1. Denmark

2. Switzerland

3. Austria

4. Iceland

5. Bahamas

6. Finland

7. Sweden

8. Bhutan

9. Brunei Darussalam

10. Canada

LEAST HAPPY

1. Burundi

2. Zimbabwe

3. Congo Dem. Rep.

4. Moldova

5. Ukraine

6. Sudan

7. Armenia

8. Turkmenistan

9. Belarus

10. Georgia

On the web:

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