Washington, April 21 (IANS) India has ranked 71st in happiness with only 17 percent people describing themselves as ‘thriving’ in a new study of well-being that gives Denmark the top spot among 124 countries surveyed.
With Danes ranked the most contented people on the planet with a whopping 72 percent of residents considering themselves ‘thriving,’ Sweden and Canada followed close behind, each at 69 percent in Gallup’s 2010 Global Wellbeing Survey.
The US came in somewhat near the middle of the pack, with 59 percent of Americans thriving.
A majority of Indians (64 percent) believe they are ‘struggling’ while 19 percent think they are ‘suffering’ according to the survey. Surprisingly Pakistanis were found to be happier. Pakistan was ranked 40th with 32 percent ‘thriving’. Among other neighbours, Bangladesh was placed 89 with only 13 percent thriving, while China was ranked 92 with only 12 percent happy respondents.
A median of just 21 percent were found to be ‘thriving’ in the Gallup survey polling 1,000 adults, age 15 and older, in both face-to-face and telephone interviews in each country throughout 2010.
Outside of Europe and the Americas, however, other nations fared considerably less well. A mere 12 percent of the population considered themselves to be thriving in Egypt, followed by 6 percent in Kenya and, dead last, Chad with 1 percent.
Pakistani and Indian income statistics do not vary significantly. It's heartening to note that despite all the turmoil in Pak, we're still not doing as badly as we think we are.
Perhaps in India, the problem is with rising income inequality and the stress of seeing others succeed, while your still struggling.
I know if I lived in Mumbais infamous Dharavi and had to look at Ambanis gaudy highrise mansion everyday, I would be pretty bummed myself.
The countries that consistently rank higher in Happiness also spend a lot on social welfare, health, education etc. So obviously people are happiest when their basic needs are met, and there is no major difference in the availability of basic facilities as compared to the better off.
Its not surprising then that the US is ranked lower despite being richer. The Health care system is extremely flawed in the US and Politicians are ready to pounce on programs that help the poor, even while increasing the profits of the rich.
Perhaps in India, the problem is with rising income inequality and the stress of seeing others succeed, while your still struggling.
I know if I lived in Mumbais infamous Dharavi and had to look at Ambanis gaudy highrise mansion everyday, I would be pretty bummed myself.
The countries that consistently rank higher in Happiness also spend a lot on social welfare, health, education etc. So obviously people are happiest when their basic needs are met, and there is no major difference in the availability of basic facilities as compared to the better off.
Its not surprising then that the US is ranked lower despite being richer. The Health care system is extremely flawed in the US and Politicians are ready to pounce on programs that help the poor, even while increasing the profits of the rich.
Ypu mean to say that Pakistan tops India in Education,Health Care etc?
Ypu mean to say that Pakistan tops India in Education,Health Care etc?
Pakistanis are hardly that much happier... If in fact they are. But are you saying that income inequality isnt an issue in India?
I should imagine that income inequality would be far more depressing in a country like India, with its growing economy, with the increasing gap between the haves and have nots, then in Pak with its stagnant economy.
Income inequality in country where the rich are getting richer by the day, and the poor are stuck where they are, seems far more likely an explanation for lower rates of happiness (whatever that means), then the idea that people are simply unhappy because they have to much, as another guppie had implied.
Pakistanis are hardly that much happier... If in fact they are. But are you saying that income inequality isnt an issue in India?
I should imagine that income inequality would be far more depressing in a country like India, with its growing economy, with the increasing gap between the haves and have nots, then in Pak with its stagnant economy.
Income inequality in country where the rich are getting richer by the day, and the poor are stuck where they are, seems far more likely an explanation for lower rates of happiness (whatever that means), then the idea that people are simply unhappy because they have to much, as another guppie had implied.
Firstly, I dont think 1000 people is a statistically significant sample in a country of 1.2 billion people.
Secondly Gallup probably surveyed folks in the cities, mostly part of the huge Indian middle class. Income inequality isnt really as big an issue there as are issues like rising cost of living, the stress of making ends meet, the growing consumerism and the peer pressure to buy the newest things etc.
Firstly, I dont think 1000 people is a statistically significant sample in a country of 1.2 billion people.
Secondly Gallup probably surveyed folks in the cities, mostly part of the huge Indian middle class. Income inequality isnt really as big an issue there as are issues like rising cost of living, the stress of making ends meet, the growing consumerism and the peer pressure to buy the newest things etc.
That's possible... But then the cost of living in Pakistan has also skyrocketed and incomes havent increased...
