jsmith

The headline of a story on MSNBC this morning.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14069879/

I wonder how many naysayers this will generate.

kerouac

Strange report. Generally, in Europe, one reads that Denmark is one of the most xenophobic countries in the world -- so satisfied with itself that it despises all things foreign. However, I have never felt this myself when visiting Denmark -- the people seem open and friendly. However, it is true that the politics of the country seem to point in the other direction.

Pegontheroad

I'd read somewhere that the Danes are generally happy with their lives, so this survey's results don't surprise me. They certainly are attractive and healthy-looking.

I don't know...maybe all that exercise they get riding their bicycles gets the endorphins going.

P_M

All I know is that I'm happy when I'm in Denmark. Of course, I'm happy to be anywhere in Europe.

USNR

We have visited Denmark several times and have had friends there for more than 60 years. That said, it should be noted that -- as a proportion of national income -- Denmark donates more in foreign aid than any other nation in the world.

It's the only nation in Europe, so far as I know, that celebrates the 4th of July in observance of American independence and friendship.

It also has staggeringly-high taxes to support its cradle-to-grave social system.

It's a tidy place, sort of an Iowa-by-the-sea.

Sue_xx_yy

If a survey should ever declare that Fodors ranks last in a survey about Internet travel boards, will you a) believe the survey is valid? If you do, would you b) take any subsequent action (i.e. stop coming here?)

willit

It is an interesting point Sue - but no - I like it here, so what a "survey" tells me I should be thinking is irrelevant.

I suppose people have to ignore the "knee jerk" reaction of "My country isn't top, therfore the survey must be rubbish".
and I am not referrig to America in the above - I notice Britain down in the 40s and Italy at 50.

USNR - I think that the high taxes/high level of social care may have something to do with the happiness index. The Danes feel secure - they have decided that it is worth paying high taxes to have that level of security. Just because other countries think that this "Socialism" is outdated, doesn't mean it doesn't work for the Danes.

weber6560

obscure fact: The US acquired what are now the US Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917.

USNR

Another obscure fact: when Denmark was overrun by the Nazis in 1940, the USA put forces on Greenland, built bases, and stationed its armed forces there until 1951. With the formation of NATO, Denmark was able to return to Greenland. USA continues to have air bases there, under license. I know. I was one of those men.

kismetchimera

I wonder, why a country that is supposed to be the Happiest one in the World has such high percentage of suicide?Very strange...

Suicide Rates among Highest GNP Nations
Gross National Product (GNP

Country Per Capita GNP
Switzerland 44070
Japan 41160
Denmark 32540
Norway 29350
Austria 28860
United States 27550
France 26290
Germany 26190
Netherlands 25240
Sweden 24730
Finland 23410

Neil_Oz

If you think about it, a high suicide rate and a high overall happiness level aren't necessarily a contradiction.

One of the Right's most treasured and self-serving fantasies is that cradle-to-grave welfare drives nations into ennui, despair and ruin. Sweden used to get the same treatment.

You can see the happiness map at:
www.le.ac.uk/pc/aw57/world/sample.html

Every such study throws up a different result.

Clifton

Now I've begun wondering why that Dane was so melancholy.

My wife's been a fan of Denmark since they've had the good sense to make an Australian a princess. So I'm sure we'll have to stop for a hello at some point.

But all along, I thought it was Disney World that was the happiest place on Earth. Not sure which disneyians they interviewed for the survey though. I'm pretty sure Goofy's been carrying a grudge.

WallyKringen

If this survey had been taken in the depth of winter, the result might have been different. Scandinavians (not all of them, but plenty) will be the first to tell you that they get morose in winter. That's when the suicide rate goes up.

altajoe

Perhaps the survey was heavy laden with respondents from Cristiana. lol