Io confermo felicemente

Australians among the happiest people in the world

Thursday, 25 October 2007

According to a recent study on national happiness levels, Australians are the second happiest people in the world, second only to Iceland.

In an attempt to move beyond the usual national measurement of GDP, the happiness study took into account factors such as life expectancy, education and living standards.

Strangely enough the two countries are as different as two countries can be, large and hot Australia contrasted with small and cold Iceland.

The study has tried to show that GDP is not the sole determinant of measuring gross national happiness for a nation.

A major factor that may contribute to the happiness of Australians is the famously sunny climate. The weather has been assumed to have a highly influential affect on happiness. Other factors such as an open democratic country and the strong economic growth that Australia has experienced for a number of years contribute to a high standard of living - keeping the population happy.

The research is consistent with migration trends to Australia over the past several years. For many people who live in Australia, Australia was a destination of choice. As such, people tend to be happier enjoying the country's enviable standard of living than they would be in their original countries.

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