Israel Ranks 7th in 'Happiness Index'

Gallup survey shows 63% of Israelis satisfied with their lives, more than residents of United States, Britain. Denmark tops list with 72% happy campers, while only 14% of Palestinian Authority residents say they're content with situation

Yitzhak Benhorin

WASHINGTON- A survey conducted by Gallup institute ranked Israel seventh out of 124 states, based on the happiness level of residents.

According to the global wellbeing survey, published over the weekend, 63% of respondents in Israel said they were happy with their lives.

The "happiness" list was headed by Denmark, with 72% of its residents expressing satisfaction. Sweden and Canada came in second with 69% happy campers, followed by Australia with 65%.

Surprisingly, Venezuela shared the fourth spot with Finland, boasting 64% content residents.

New Zealand ranked seventh, along with Israel.

The Jewish State ranked higher than Holland and Ireland (62%), and also managed to surpass the United States (59%) and Brazil (57%).

The Arab state ranking highest in the survey was the United Arab Emirates, with 55% of its residents reporting being content with their lives.

Britain showed less optimism with only 54% of respondents expressing satisfaction.

In contrast with the level of happiness in Israel, only 14% of residents in the Palestinian Authority said they were happy with their situation.

Countries in the African continent ranked as least happy, with Chad at the bottom of the list with only 1% pleased residents.

The conductors of the poll argue that world leaders should focus not only on the country's Gross Domestic Product as an indicator of the residents' well-being, but also consider other, more vague, factors such as happiness and satisfaction.

Ynet News