World’s Happiest People
Mar 9th, 2012, in Featured, Society, by PatungOf modest means, relatively, but Indonesia leads the world in levels of reported happiness.
Poor people from countries like Indonesia are happier, according to a poll of 18,687 adults conducted from November 1st to 15th 2011 in 24 countries by Ipsos, a Paris based research company, and published in the suitably named but Canadian “What Makes You Happy” magazine.
A giant among nations
On being asked whether they were “very happy” a thumping 51% of smiling Indonesians answered in the affirmative, well clear of the pretty cheerful Indians and Mexicans (both 43%), with a large gap again down to the Turks and Brazilians each on 30%.
“Very happy” levels, with GDP numbers
A further 42% of Indonesians reported being, if not very happy, “rather happy”, which is close enough, bringing the total happiness level in the country to a staggering 92%.
The average “very happy” percentage for the world as a whole was a meagre 22%; miserable, po-faced Europeans were most responsible for this low figure, with Hungarians and Russians polling only in the single figures, with their wealthier, welfare-cushioned, dying breed cousins to the west like Italians and Frenchmen not faring much better, in the teens.
A European
Continent-wide Europe managed only a 15% average, with Latin America leading the world in self reported cheeriness at 32% average, followed by North America on 27%, and then all on 24% were Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa.
Tukul: a typical “very happy” Indonesian
For Indonesia the triumph of leading the world in the happiness stakes was tempered with the fact that the country saw a sizeable 7% drop in “happiness intensity” from the last time the poll was conducted, in 2007.
People who can’t get enough of these sorts of statistics can view the full PDF report here.
89 Comments on “World’s Happiest People”
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berlian biru says:
Is it just me or has this thread descended to utter incomprehensibility?
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deta says:
Hi, bluemoejoe
so instead moaning , cursing and bashing othersā¦ ( borrowed the notion from ā ikhlas ā ) they already accept the reality and passes the ā denial phase ā and make peace with the minds
In this society where ambition is not quite seen as a virtue, and justice is merely a slogan that seems too good to be true, accepting reality only makes the less fortunate fellows sink even further down the sink hole.
Being apathetic too is often mistaken as ikhlas. And that kind of ikhlas doesnāt pay the bills (and the increasing price of BBM) š
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stevo says:
Is it just me or has this thread descended to utter incomprehensibility?
It explains why they are so happy.
Often we are faced with a choice: Do you want happiness or logic ?
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Often we are faced with a choice: Do you want happiness or logic
We all want logical happiness. But then again, one would argue that the standard of logical reasoning may vary in different situations.
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Not a valid comparrison deta. Happiness is an emotion, logic is not.Logic has limited control over our emotions. Sometimes we feel bad, but logically we know it is pointless to feel that way. Our logical side can not directly control our emotional state.
Have you ever felt sad, mad, jealous, angry, shy, in love, tearful? If you have ever felt any of those thing, please explain the “logic” behind the feeling.
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Have you ever felt sad, mad, jealous, angry, shy, in love, tearful? If you have ever felt any of those thing, please explain the ālogicā behind the feeling.
The answer is simple. Itās the hormones talkin.
Yes, itās true that the logical side cannot control our emotional state. But as far as my experience is concerned, unless you suffer from manic depressive behavior, there is always a reason or ālogicā behind each of those emotional feelings. What possibly happens is that these seemingly logical reasons are considered to be simply illogical by an outside observerās point of view. The seemingly logical reasons for Indonesian people to be happy might be seen as illogical by people who were brought up in different situations.
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… there is always a reason or ālogicā behind each of those emotional feelings. What possibly happens is that these seemingly logical reasons are considered to be simply illogical by an outside observerās point of view
deta that is known as “female logic”
Can you imagine applying that principle to solving a math problem or designing an air plane wing! You can not claim that 2 + 2 = 22 simply because it “feels” right and therefore it is logical on a personal level.
Mostly people do things based on emotion, then find the “logical” reasons to support it.
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Can you imagine applying that principle to solving a math problem or designing an air plane wing! You can not claim that 2 + 2 = 22 simply because it āfeelsā right and therefore it is logical on a personal level.
So, we cannot state that 2 + 2 = 22? Sigh. And they say weāre supposed to think out of box.
Anyway, thatās an unfit analogy when you compare happiness with designing an air plane wing. Let me humbly repeat: there are different standards of reasoning for different situations. The logical reasoning and bias tolerance limits in designing an air plane wing or solving math equations will be different from those in determining someoneās happiness. There is a universal standard for the previous (and probably zero tolerance for bias), but not for the latter.
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Well good luck telling yourself your happy, when you feel awful. I’m guessing the emotion will win that contest š
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Nice talking to you, Stevo. Have an awful day š
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It works both ways. I am having a great day, it would not be logically or emotionally right to feel differently. No doubt that news may ruin your day however š
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I am having a great day
Although that’s logically impossible, I am emotionally happy for you. š
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bluemoejoe says:
evening DETA and may peace be upon you
Being apathetic too is often mistaken as ikhlas. And that kind of ikhlas doesnāt pay the bills (and the increasing price of BBM) š
well …. sister . if that is the true meanings for ” ikhlas ” … then i’ve left this forsaken beliefs for goods . but thanks god …. most of us take the other ones though (meanings)
human are unique creatures for sometimes we wish things we don’t need and forsake things that we haves without some consideration upon others
it’s a human nature for seeking the betters of everything and even “allah” commands us to …. for he not gonna changes those who never exert and attempt .
just thrust hards and gives you all mights ….and let him decides what’s better suited for you without some grudges at all ( that’s the hardest part and lifetime journeys for a true moslems ideals )
for we are simply a humble human before him trying to understand all of things that beyond our comprehensions . sometimes he points a way …and sometimes he keeps thing secrets for a while but stills he is emphasize on an attempt
( the only attempts forbade by him …. was an understanding about mystique …. )oh yes it was easier to said than doings it …. but bitching around without trying something surely wont change the equations either ….
salam
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agan says:
You can not claim that 2 + 2 = 22 simply because it āfeelsā right and therefore it is logical on a personal level.
So, we cannot state that 2 + 2 = 22? Sigh.
And they say weāre supposed to think out of box.Rubbish, everybody knows 2+2=22 (big brother said so)
And here is the proof and Iām typing very slowly:2+2=22
or 4=22Letās take a 5th. Gradeās simple algebraic equation a+b=c
multiply each side (left and right) with any random number (except 0 of course) and the equation will still be valid, so for shit and giggle I choose, say 18 as multiplier then18 (a+b)=18 (c)
18a+18b=18cUsing similar logic above this can also be written as:
22a-4a + 22b-4b = 22c-4cRearrange the numbers:
22a+22b-22c = 4a+4b-4cFactorize the equation:
22(a+b-c) =4(a+b-c)Remove the same term from each side and voila!
22=4
“Stinking inside the Pool”
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I hope you don’t design aircraft wings Agan. With skills like that you should be working for the government. You could even prove there is no corruption and that all money is properly accounted for.
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Interesting, kang Agan, but let me put my counter argument :
Factorize the equation:
22(a+b-c) =4(a+b-c)At this point, you cannot remove the term (a+b-c) from each side, because when a+b=c, then (a+b-c) = 0
Removing the term (a+b-c) from both sides will be similar to removing 0 from the equation: 22 x 0 = 4 x 0, and concluding that 22 = 4.
Although thatās ālogicallyā right, some people will be āunhappyā about it š
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^Aww dang it, ceu Deta you are smarter than a 5th. Grader
And Stevo no bintang for you, sunshine.Me joined kang Bluemoejoe (samsu+kapal api)-ing in the cozy corner.
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Thank you, Agan, I guess I am now officially entitled to design a rocket. Wikkiki…
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The answer is simple. Itās the hormones talkin…
I guess I am now officially entitled to design a rocket.Yeah I canāt wait to see what a rocket would look like, designed by a hormonal Indonesian girl !
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Ouch! Sexist joke is just as bad as racist joke, Stevo. But if that can make you “happy”….
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And just as funny deta… Of course woman have a terrible sense of humour, so thats probably lost on you. I think it is because woman tend to take everything as a personal comment and are essentially inward looking. This reality is well understood by the worlds oldest developed cultures, where woman are viewed rather differently than they are in West.
There is so much accumulated wisdom, over-looked by the Eurocentric West….. don’t you think deta?…
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PS.
I note that Saudi Arabia is ahead of Sweden in the happiness rating, so it seems the facts support my observation lol š
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Of course woman have a terrible sense of humour, so thats probably lost on you.
Not āterribleā, Stevo, just ādifferentā, and your joke was not lost. My first reaction reading your comment was LMAO, but of course, as a self proclaimed (ahem, cough, cough!) feminist, I had to hide it behind the screen. š
This reality is well understood by the worlds oldest developed cultures, where woman are viewed rather differently than they are in West.
While the oldest developed cultures understand that men and women are biologically and psychologically different, they (deliberately) fail to understand that such differences shouldnāt dismiss the right of every citizen to have fair share of opportunity in civil and legal matters.
I note that Saudi Arabia is ahead of Sweden in the happiness rating, so it seems the facts support my observation lol
Most of the participants mustāve been males.
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Good reply deta. You got me š
You have made a very accurate and concise summary on all points. Clearly I will have to try harder to stir-you-up. Your not as hysterical as some “feminists”. There needs to be a few more like you.
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bonni says:
Stevo, enough with the logic. I’ve known you as the hopeless romantic possibly-loveable man from other thread here. And surely the feminists have nothing to do with it.
*enjoying a glass of canadian red wine*
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Why not Aussie wine bonni, they make some great reds? It is one of the few good things to come from that penal colony.
Do you know why it is so hard to get decent affordable wine in Indonesia? A good friend returned home and was reduced to drinking – terrible -wine from a cardboard box and beer. The stuff in the box was the worst I have ever tasted.
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Stevo,
Cause it’s my favorite one. Haven’t tasted aussie wine yet. Yeah, it’s not cheap to get the best one… But still they say we are the world’s happiest people! Woot woot! š
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Another survey ranks Indonesia at #12 for happy people:
20 happiest countries in the world
1. Paraguay
2. Panama
3. Guatemala
4. Nicaragua
5. Ecuador
6. Costa Rica
7. Colombia
8. Denmark
9. Honduras
10. Venezuela
11. El Salvador
12. Indonesia
13. Philippines
14. Thailand
15. UAE
16. Canada
17. New Zealand
18. Australia
19. Chile
20. ArgentinaHowever, Indonesia is the highest ranked Asian country.
The top 20 seems to be dominated by countries from Central and South America.
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firstly …. i present a sincere appology …. for my rude behaviour as a newbie in the neighbourhood …
hopely thing wouldn’t be escalated again …. and by your permission “kang” …. i’ll humbly return to my cozy corner and spend more samsu and kapal api again š
salam