The Elusive Pursuit of Happiness: Which Countries Offer the Best Life? 

During the period of the Polish People’s Republic, Sweden was often seen in Poland as a symbol of prosperity. It was perceived as a country that had it all: high salaries, fully stocked stores, excellent social and healthcare services, and quality education. Not to mention the global popularity of the Swedish band ABBA. However, the reality of this ‘paradise’ is quite mundane – the region of Skåne in the south of Sweden bears a strong resemblance to the Masovian region in Poland, albeit with less lush vegetation, cooler winds, and predominantly rocky beaches. Moreover, there is a notable lack of tourist attractions. When Swedes are asked if they spend their vacations in their homeland, the response is often negative; they tend to prefer destinations like Mallorca, the Canary Islands, or Thailand. While Sweden is indeed a place where one can earn a good living and lead a relatively peaceful life, it is not necessarily the ideal location for leisure and relaxation. This apparent contradiction is likely rooted in a paradox central to happiness research. This paradox is closely related to cultural factors, specifically the expectations we have of the world, which ultimately shape our sense of satisfaction and well-being.

The Essence of Nordic Minimalism 

In essence, the minimalist characteristic of Scandinavia reflects the region’s inhabitants’ expectations towards life. Having been raised in a harsh climate under the significant influence of strict Protestantism, they do not harbor grandiose expectations. Wealth is not typically a primary goal; rather, they value a decent and transparent income, a simple and serene life devoid of extravagance, coupled with a robust social welfare system, quality healthcare, and extended vacations of around six weeks. Consequently, it can be deduced that the happiness of Finns and Scandinavians is not merely a result of residing in the remote north. Their contentment stems from the ability to travel abroad several times a year without financial strain, using fairly earned money, and without the anxiety of job loss or forfeiture of social benefits.

Inflated Expectations in the USA? 

The scenario is notably different in the United States, where the populace harbors an intensified sense of patriotism and superpower mentality—this consequently elevates their expectations from the world. Americans, on a subconscious level, feel that since everything in their nation is of the highest quality, they rightfully deserve more. However, when these expectations clash with reality—endless hours in traffic jams, the daily commute, or navigating through a labyrinthine healthcare system—they are often left disconcerted. While they attempt to offset this with an overblown sense of optimism, it is frequently nothing more than a superficial charade. Poles, and more broadly Europeans, typically approach Americans’ assessments with a healthy dose of skepticism. In other words, if an American claims something was ‘great,’ it was probably just ‘good’; if they assert it was ‘good,’ it was likely merely ‘okay’; and if they concede it was ‘okay,’ it was probably, in reality, quite poor.

Collaboration Over Individualism 

A completely different set of values from the West is exhibited by the inhabitants of China and India, where happiness is less individualized and more associated with functioning harmoniously within a community. Consequently, despite their relative poverty, Asians often feel happier than “objective” indicators, such as income, would suggest. This is aided by substantially reduced personal expectations, strong community support, and a habit of hard work. 

For the people of India, China, and other Far Eastern countries, happiness is not tied to the intensity of experienced emotions but instead a state of harmony and tranquility, which also entails a certain level of restraint and seriousness. Easterners are inclined to accept the world as it is, which shields them from unnecessary disappointments that arise from the inability to achieve perfection. In these cultures, happiness is attained through healthy interpersonal relationships and fulfilling one’s roles within the community. 

Interestingly, some aspects of Asian culture can also be found, somewhat surprisingly, in Latin America. There, despite being relatively impoverished, residents define their happiness in relation to others, which prevents them from suffering as much as one might expect wealthier Westerners to.

Is an Extended Vacation the Key to Happiness? 

The significant disparities in the perception of happiness across various studies and rankings can be more easily comprehended when viewed through the lens of the aforementioned cultural factors. The World Happiness Report, the most renowned of such rankings, has placed Finland at the top for six consecutive years, followed by Denmark, Iceland, Israel, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway. Except for Israel, all these countries are predominantly Protestant and located in Northern Europe.

The evaluation was based on six criteria: per capita GDP, anticipated lifespan, extent and range of social benefits (such as pensions, allowances, and social projects), freedom in decision-making, corruption levels, and the functioning of charitable organizations. The authors of the study highlighted that the ranking in recent years has been influenced by the Finns’ traditional confidence in governmental and societal institutions, their contentment with everyday life, educational standards, public life transparency, and… tempered expectations.

“A specific phenomenon prevalent across Nordic countries can also be noticed in a few adjacent European nations,” notes Prof. Peter Stadius from the University of Helsinki, reflecting on the findings of a happiness study. “When contrasted with societies such as the United States or Japan, people here have an abundance of leisure time and holidays. This means they are not overly reliant on the obligation to work,” he elucidates.

In the ranking under discussion, Poland secured a relatively remote position, marked by a moderately low level of happiness. Out of the 137 nations examined in the study, we were positioned 39th – trailing behind Panama, yet surpassing Nicaragua, Japan, and Croatia. The list concluded with nations currently engulfed in internal conflicts: Lebanon was penultimate, and Afghanistan occupied the final spot.

Does Climate Influence Happiness? 

Another way to measure happiness is through the Happy Planet Index, which differs from other indicators as it takes into account the environmental impact and sustainable development, along with wealth-related criteria. This aligns with the philosophy that humans should not only focus on accumulating wealth but also on living harmoniously within society while maintaining health and happiness.

Since its inception in 2006, the Happy Planet Index has given more consideration to countries that minimally exploit the natural environment and its resources. The mathematical formula used for this index is simple: multiply perceived well-being by the average life expectancy, and then divide by the ecological footprint. This calculation method was devised by experts from Eurostat, the European Statistical Office.

In 2021, the World Happiness Index ranked the citizens of Costa Rica, Vanuatu, and Colombia as the happiest globally, with Vietnam holding the second position a few years prior. Generally speaking, the countries that scored the highest were those located in the tropical regions of Latin America, Indochina, Australia, and Oceania. Conversely, nations with temperate climates and deemed affluent, such as the United States (122nd out of 152) and Luxembourg (143rd), ranked significantly lower. The list concluded with the rapidly advancing Mongolia and resource-abundant Qatar, both characterized by their exceptionally arid climates. Poland was positioned midway, at 71st, according to data from 2012.

Apart from the warm climate and limited industrialization, the highest-ranking countries in this index shared common traits of widespread directness, spontaneity, and a cheerful disposition among their citizens. It is commonly observed that Latin Americans, similar to certain Asian populations such as the Thais, Laotians, and Vietnamese, tend to smile exceptionally often. Generally, these individuals express satisfaction with their lives, appreciate the value of each day, and refrain from the constant complaints often heard from many discontented Westerners. Their culture does not emphasize the intense drive for success and high societal expectations, factors that often contribute to the disillusionment of not only Europeans and Americans but also populations like the Japanese. Additionally, they are not influenced by the disheartening standards of wealthier neighboring countries, a situation familiar to the ‘disheartened’ residents of Central and Eastern Europe, who are often viewed as the impoverished kin of the West.

Does Wealth Really Equate to Happiness?

While there are various rankings of the world’s happiest countries, the data developed by different research groups do not necessarily conflict; rather, they often supplement each other. A detailed examination of the ranking that places Finns as the happiest reveals a relationship between wealth and well-being. For example, despite being three times less wealthy than the Japanese, Brazilians report higher levels of happiness. Similarly, the Czechs and Americans are adjacent in the ranking, even though the former has almost half the wealth of the latter. Essentially, for the Czechs, half the average wealth of a US citizen is sufficient to achieve a reasonable level of happiness. A more striking comparison involves the enthusiastic Nicaraguans and the Kuwaitis. Although the Kuwaitis have ten times the income of the Nicaraguans, both groups report similar levels of life satisfaction.

How do Poles fare? They rank lower than Italians and Spaniards, and alongside Latvians and Hungarians, who have comparable incomes. Poles’ sense of happiness mirrors that of the much poorer Serbians and the significantly less affluent Guatemalans. This aligns precisely with the slightly disillusioned Eastern Europe image; both Czechs and Slovenians surpassed Poland.

Philosophers from diverse cultural backgrounds have strived to define happiness for centuries. For Plato, it meant understanding true ideas, encompassing beauty and goodness; for Aristotle, it was the rational quest for the “golden mean”; the Stoics advocated for tranquility; medieval monks recommended penance and prayer as paths to eternal life. In modern times, the idea of maximizing worldly pleasures emerged as the definition of happiness. However, this perspective was short-lived. Successive wars and crises prompted more comprehensive reflections and a holistic approach to the issue. Ultimately, we have come full circle. The teachings of Chinese philosopher Laozi, the 6th-century BC founder of Taoism, have never been more pertinent. He proclaimed, “One who is not content with a little happiness will not find contentment in abundance.”

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