Since the report began in , Nordic countries — which include Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland, plus the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Aland — consistently turn up at the top of the list.
The United States, on the other hand, typically lands somewhere around 18th or 19th place. In , Finland was ranked No. In , it was Norway, and Denmark grabbed first place in and Switzerland nabbed the top rank in This is no coincidence.
Nordic countries rank so high on the happiness report because they have things like free education and healthcare, low crime rates, cushy social security nets, a relatively homogeneous population and they're fairly prosperous. Perhaps most importantly, these countries prioritize balance, which is the "formula for happiness," Sachs says.
A "full-time" workweek in Denmark is typically 37 hours spread over the course of five days. On the other hand, the average American works 44 hours per week, or 8. But what's even more striking is the Danes' attitude toward working long hours. While many Americans see working late as badge of honor and a way to get ahead, in Denmark it's seen as a weakness — it shows you can't get things done in the allotted work time, Kay Xander Mellish, a Danish business consultant and author of "How to Work In Denmark," tells CNBC Make It.
Denmark also has hour workweeks, not 33, and there is no minimum wage. Services of higher education, child and medical care and parental leave are available due to their high levels of taxation; they're not offered for free. Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here. Facebook Twitter Email. Fact check: Denmark is among world's happiest countries, but it's not No.
Show Caption. Hide Caption. Denmark is apparently the happiest country in the world. Denmark took the top spot on this year's World Happiness Report. Video provided by Newsy. Income inequality continues to be an issue. Festival of Social Science — Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire. Edition: Available editions United Kingdom. Become an author Sign up as a reader Sign in. Marie Helweg-Larsen , Dickinson College.
The U. Beautiful castles dot across Denmark and even downtown Copenhagen, giving the country a feel of a fairytale landscape. The palaces and castles are complemented with winding medieval streets, cathedral spires, Viking burial grounds, and baroque buildings all with their own stories to tell.
Nowadays, Denmark is a renowned leader in urban design and architecture and the center of the New Nordic design movement. Consider taking courses in architecture , interior architecture , urban design , or urban studies — offering you deeper insight and understanding of Scandinavian and Danish architecture and design methods.
Basically, we have low expectations — we wake up expecting clouds and rain and then the sun shines! This lack of entitlement in terms of having a good career, satisfying social life, and so forth means we are rarely disappointed and, often, pleasantly surprised.
But when you live in a country with excellent contemporary urban design, a strong architectural heritage, cutting-edge Nordic cuisine, low crime, and a social welfare safety net as givens, perhaps having normal expectations does make you happy!
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