Life Satisfaction as Ranked by Country

Where does your country rank in overall life satisfaction?

According to this article over at Quartz, data from the Gallup World Poll as presented in Paris-based think tank Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)'s Society at a Glance 2014 report, 15 countries are ranked above the United States.

The top 10 countries reporting high life satisfaction are:

  1. Switzerland
  2. Norway
  3. Iceland
  4. Sweden
  5. Denmark
  6. Netherlands
  7. Austria
  8. Canada
  9. Finland
  10. Australia

Life satisfaction, according to the report, is determined by both economic development as well as people's diverse experiences and living conditions. There's a broad regional/cultural grouping as four out of the top five countries are Nordic. The report noted that, on average across OECD countries, women report slightly higher levels of life satisfaction than men, and that life satisfaction decreases with age.

The bottom 10 countries are

  1. Russian Federation
  2. Estonia
  3. Indonesia
  4. Turkey
  5. Greece
  6. China
  7. Portugal
  8. Hungary
  9. India
  10. South Africa

If you're wondering, the poll asked 1,000 to 4,000 residents of a country the following: "Imagine an eleven-rung ladder where the bottom (0) represents the worst possible life for you and the top (10) represents the best possible life for you. On which step of the ladder do you feel you personally stand at the present time?"


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Australia. Its in the southern hemisphere.The land down under, heard of it? Pretty sure we have warmer climates and less snow than you americans do. Pays to do your research before saying broad generalised statements.
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So, the first 10 countries are places that have snow and colder climates. Figures. I would love to live in a colder climate than a stinking hot one. Louisiana - which I moved to 5 yrs ago - is a prime example of awfully hot weather. The heat index is 110 degrees for at least 6 months out of the yr. All people do is sweat, run from house to car to store and back and all are air conditioned. No one goes outside just to enjoy the weather (unless they go to the beach). Watch out for fire ants, too. Oh... to be back in Massachusetts where there are 4 seasons in the yr.
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Considering all things are relative, we have to analyze a little HOW relative. The U.S. score of 7.0 is about 90% of top rated Switzerland's 7.8. By comparison, bottom rated South Africa is at 57%. Things certainly could be worse... of course, we have people working on it...
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