Happiest people live in Denmark

I read a couple of articles that ranked the world's happiest countries. Nigeria was given the top spot in 2003. The most recent ranked list is the one put together by 'University of Leicester' on July 2006. Click here for the complete list of ranking, and an interactive world map that paints each nation based on its level of happiness.

The 10 happiest nations in the World are:
1. Denmark
2. Switzerland
3. Austria
4. Iceland
5. The Bahamas
6. Finland
7. Sweden
8. Bhutan
9. Brunei
10. Canada

Other notable results include:
23. USA
35. Germany
41. UK
62. France
82. China
90. Japan
125. India
167. Russia

The three least happy countries were:
176. Democratic Republic of the Congo
177. Zimbabwe
178. Burundi

Interestingly, Nigeria is not among the top 10... I was wondering what pushed India to be unhappier than most of its neighbours. In theory, it should be the other way round.

• India's average household income has been increasing at a rapid pace ever since the birth of off-shoring.
  
• Moreover, Indians have the innate quality to show contentment for whatever they have, irrespective of their financial/social status.
  
• The ability to work hard & smart have been given to Indians even before they could ask for.
  
• Its society and culture encourage the teens to live with their parents, and enjoy the luxuries of love & affection at home everyday.

Then, why else are we Indians not as happy as expected? Here are my thoughts on it...

• Influence by the West... The desire to live a western lifestyle in India
• Joint-family problems (within large families)
• Increased competation in every aspect of life due to large population
• Mediocre household-income to most families
• Stress among students to study harder and harder, irrespective of their interests
• Government infrastructure is not among the best
  
• Poverty
• Jealousy (not specific to India)

A new study reveals that unhappiness has risen in the past decade. In my opinion, the main reason for unhappiness can be boiled down to "Unfilled aspirations". We wish for something to happen... but something else happens. Thats LIFE! Infact, thats how life is designed to be. Why do we have to feel like a loser?

Is there a way out? Check out this article that explains how to overcome unhappiness through study. If you are lazy to read it, here is a shortcut... As wise men say: "whatever happens, happens for good". Lets all believe in this adage, and be happy for life.