Denmark 'happiest' country in the world

[koolbabs2000]

Denmark is the world's most content nation, according to a new study on global wellbeing, but the good news is, despite the credit crunch and rising fuel and food prices, all of us are getting happier.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/0...ef=mpstoryview

Is there really more happiness you see around you ???

[littleMatt]

This isn't another prank is it?

[Saint Benedetta]

Saw this on a Forbes list a few days ago I think.

[CVO Chris]

Must be all the bacon.

[Loyal Rogue]

The wife saw that on 20/20 back in January and told me all about it.
Just last week Thom Hartmann did his radio show from Denmark and it was amazing hearing from all the people he interviewed.

The Danes basically have a socialist system which eliminates a lot of the ordinary worries and fears that other systems have in exchange for a higher tax rate of 50% and up.

All healthcare is paid for.
They have no concept of going bankrupt from medical bills or not being able to afford prescriptions or going to a doctor.

All education is paid for.
From K thru University, for as long as you want to go to school and better your education.
All children learn a second language by age 8 and a third language by age 12.

Women get 1 year paid maternity leave, and after that year they are able to go back to work with subsidized daycare.

While there's nothing stopping them from becoming rich if they desire, most Danes aren't consumers like over here.
They have a "post-consumerist" society where they can all afford nice things, but place very little importance on them.
While we tend to place more importance on stuff and status symbols, they value family and friends above all else, and get plenty of familytime and socializing.
Their society places so much importance on socializing that they will even pay you to get together and have fun.
You and your friends like flying model planes?
Start a model plane group or club and the government will pay for it.

Since there's no poverty there's also very little crime.
Vegetable stands run on the honor system, people leave their bikes unlocked, and mothers even leave their babies sitting in their strollers outside of stores and cafes.

Basically it's just another example of "You get what you pay for".

Here in Florida, we just cut some property taxes with the last election and now we are seeing the results.
In exchange for saving about $200/yr per home, we have cut the budget for schools, roads, police, firefighters, parks, public transportation and services.
Parks are now closed on holidays, bus and train schedules have been cut in half, and the teachers were just told that their employment contract is not going to be honored and not only will they not be getting the contractual raise they were expecting but some of them will be losing their jobs as well.

You get what you pay for...

[gerbick]

I want to go to Denmark. The price of the flight doesn't make me happy though.

[koolbabs2000]

The Danes basically have a socialist system which eliminates a lot of the ordinary worries and fears that other systems have in exchange for a higher tax rate of 50% and up.

All healthcare is paid for.
They have no concept of going bankrupt from medical bills or not being able to afford prescriptions or going to a doctor.

All education is paid for.
From K thru University, for as long as you want to go to school and better your education.
All children learn a second language by age 8 and a third language by age 12.

Women get 1 year paid maternity leave, and after that year they are able to go back to work with subsidized daycare.

While there's nothing stopping them from becoming rich if they desire, most Danes aren't consumers like over here.
They have a "post-consumerist" society where they can all afford nice things, but place very little importance on them.
While we tend to place more importance on stuff and status symbols, they value family and friends above all else, and get plenty of familytime and socializing.
Their society places so much importance on socializing that they will even pay you to get together and have fun.
You and your friends like flying model planes?
Start a model plane group or club and the government will pay for it.

Since there's no poverty there's also very little crime.
Vegetable stands run on the honor system, people leave their bikes unlocked, and mothers even leave their babies sitting in their strollers outside of stores and cafes.

- Wow !!! Im migrating to Copenhagen !!!

[MagnusVS]

I saw that on "60 minutes" some months ago. A professor meant that they were so happy because they had low expectations I guess they have a good social system, even though things are not always as idyllic as it says in such articles etc.

[koolbabs2000]

but the good news is, despite the credit crunch and rising fuel and food prices, all of us are getting happier.

is this part true ???

[Saint Benedetta]

A friend and her husband are moving back to Australia after staying in Denmark for about a year.

Here's the Forbes list that I ran into (World's Happiest Places): http://www.forbes.com/2008/04/23/hap...hisSpeed=15000

[FlashLackey]

Basically it's just another example of "You get what you pay for".

I'm assuming then that you've already applied for your visa?

[Spiritinthesky]

Very good PR for the country!

[Saint Benedetta]

The country doesn't need PR...the surrounding regions have made it to the Forbes list. I am proud to see that Australia has been ranked in after the European regions.

[lesli_felix]

*Cough* very strict immigration policy *Cough"